It would be nonsense to say that it was not in the…
“It would be nonsense to say that it was not in the interests of a stone to be kicked along the road...A stone has no interests because it cannot suffer. The capacity for suffering and enjoyment is, however, not only necessary, but also sufficient for us to say that a being has interests - at an absolute minimum, an interest in not suffering. A mouse, for example, does have an interest in not being kicked along the road because it will suffer if it is.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Being capable of suffering or enjoyment defines interests; without this capacity, a being cannot have interests.
In simple terms: Interest requires ability to feel pain or pleasure.
Key Takeaway
Recognize suffering as basis for moral consideration.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- animal welfare
- policy making
- medical ethics
- environmental decisions
Key Concepts
sentience
interest
moral agency
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we have obligations to non-sentient objects?
- How do we balance interests of sentient vs. non-sentient?
A Different Perspective
Non-sentient entities may still affect sentient beings, complicating moral calculations.