--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The question is not, 'Can they reason?'…" description: "\"The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they talk?' but rather, 'Can they suffer?'\" — Jeremy Bentham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/jeremy-bentham-7785_question_the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor_2712213.jpg" --- # The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they… ![“The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they talk?' but rather, 'Can they suffer?'” quote by Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/jeremy-bentham-7785_question_the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor_2712213.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/jeremy-bentham-7785_question_the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor_2712213.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/jeremy-bentham-7785_question_the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor_2712213.jpg) > “The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they talk?' but rather, 'Can they suffer?'” [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Moral consideration should focus on the capacity to suffer, not just reasoning or speech. **In simple terms:** Suffering matters most morally. Key Takeaway Prioritize alleviating suffering. Themes ethics compassion rights Mood serious thoughtful Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - animal welfare - healthcare policy - mental health services Key Concepts utilitarianism sentience Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities arise from recognizing suffering? - How do we assess suffering objectively? A Different Perspective Suffering is hard to measure; may overlook other moral capacities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question/) [Question Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-reason-1481413/) [Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rather/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-talk-752347/) [Suffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffer/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk/) [Talk Suffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk-suffer-2816366/) ## Related quotes > [“The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?" but "Can they suffer?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-question-is-not-can-they-reason-nor-can-they-talk-but-can-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What is it that should trace the insuperable line? ...The question is not, Can they reason? nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/what-is-it-that-should-trace-the-insuperable-line-the-question-is-not/) [Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/) > [What else is it that should trace the insuperable line? 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