Module 3

The Moral Circle

Summarize what it means to say that something or someone is included in
The Moral Circle, from a philosophical point of view (refer to the lecture
definitions). What is your own criteria for Moral Value? In other words, what
qualities or characteristics or capacities do you think something or someone
needs to have in order to be included in the moral circle? Why do you draw
your line at those standards? And based on your criteria, what beings and/or
things do you end up including in that circle, and what beings/things do you
leave out? How do you respond to your own, and others, criteria? What do
you like about where youve drawn the line? Is there anything that you dont
likeor that you worry abouthaving drawn the line where you have?

According to philosophers, if you are part of the moral circle, you are:

worthy of moral consideration,

owed consideration when making moral decisions,

your needs and interests matter,

we are obligated to take your welfare into consideration,

you are important and valuable in yourself and not just for how you can benefit others,

we may not violate any rights that you may have.

I believe that any living thing- humans, plants, animals, organisms, etc.- should be included in the moral
circle. We are all alive, and we should all have rights. With factors like plants and animals, these situations
are tough. I say that unless one of these can be used in a way that benefits others (i.e. food and/or

resources), then they should be left alone. Following that statement, plants and animals should only be
used to an extent for which it will not negatively affect their existence. Meaning, we should only kill enough
cows to provide sufficient amount of meat, but leave enough cows to procreate and keep the species alive
(this is just one example, I don't believe we are running out of cows). The same goes for plants; we may
cut down trees to make paper and gather sap, firewood, etc., but only chop down as much wood as
deemed absolutely necessary. Leave enough trees to avoid extinction and keep environments alive and
flourishing. If there comes a time when it is deemed "absolutely necessary" to use up all of one resource
(i.e. kill all the cows, or chop down all the trees), then we should take into consideration the long-term
effect this would have on all the parties involved before action is taken (If we kill all the cows how will this
affect our food supply? Gases in the air? Environments cows reside in?). Only after this will we be able to,
as a society, come to the best conclusion.
from Mod3 Activity - Thinking with Others: The Moral Circle (opens 2/1, closes 2/7)
Feb 6, 2016 7:28pm

Ashley Jimenez-Jimenez
Lincoln, I think it's great how you specified the difference between "good" and "bad" people being allowed
in the moral circle. When I was working on my response I didn't even think to consider this; I was mainly
focused on humans in general, plants, and animals. But I have to agree with you; people who wish to
cause harm and pain on others, and the like, should definitely be excluded from this moral circle. Those
with good intentions are of course allowed. Here's a thought: what if a serious criminal, someone not
previously allowed in the circle, claims to have changed and been rehabilitated? How would you then
decided whether or not the individual should be allowed in the circle?
from Mod3 Activity - Thinking with Others: The Moral Circle (opens 2/1, closes 2/7)
Feb 6, 2016 7:34pm

Ashley Jimenez-Jimenez
Kelly, we have some similarities in our thoughts. I, too, believe that humans, plants, and animals should all
be included in the circle. If something starts upsetting the balance, they definitely should not be able to
stay in the circle. But that brings up the interesting point that you mentioned; our individual values and
morals having to do with "right" and/or "wrong" don't always match up to those of others. I could
disapprove of swear words whereas you or the next person (just an example) could think they are
acceptable and use them in your own vocabulary. At that point, how do we decide what is honestly right or
wrong in a society, as a society?
from Mod3 Activity - Thinking with Others: The Moral Circle (opens 2/1, closes 2/7)
Feb 6, 2016 9:18pm

Ashley Jimenez-Jimenez
Meghan, I can't say whether you are right or wrong to exclude plants from the circle, but I have to say that
I did include them, simply for the reason that they are living. I believe all living things should be in the
circle (humans, plants, animals, etc.). I think there definitely is evidence that animals feel in the same
ways, if not similar ways, that we do. You can tell when your pet cat/dog is sick or unhappy. They let you
know through their actions and demeanor.
from Mod3 Activity - Thinking with Others: The Moral Circle (opens 2/1, closes 2/7)
Feb 6, 2016 9:25pm

Ashley Jimenez-Jimenez
Stefania, our views on this are very similar. I include all living things in my moral circle, and one of my
biggest issues is that we should use animals and plants for food and resources we need, but only as long
as our use does not affect their existence. We shouldn't kill all the cows for meat, and be left without that
species. We should not chop down all the trees for paper, and save environments and habitats that
depend on those trees. The way I put it was that we should not use up all of one resource unless deemed
absolutely necessary for survival, at that point, before taking action, we should take into consideration the
long-term effects of using up the resource. After successfully comparing the pros and cons, then we may
move towards coming to a decision.