In a recent book titled "Speciesism in Biology and Culture: How Human Exceptionalism is Pushing
Planetary Boundaries," University of California-Berkeley Professor Brent
Mishler and former UC-Berkeley faculty member Brian Swartz, among others, argue
that "speciesism" is a grave threat to life on Earth. Mishler
and Swartz state that speciesism “leads to behavior that
challenges our future on this planet,” before adding that “[s]peciesism is to
species as racism is to race... the problem with speciesism and racism is that
they are both scientifically baseless.” There is no basis whatsoever to think
that a human being is more advanced than, say, a rat or a deer tick?
Mishler and Swartz go so far as to argue that the very
concepts of species and taxonomic ranking, central to the science
of biology from the time of Darwin and before, should be removed from biology
courses.
Well,
duh! The science is settled: William Shakespeare was no more important
than a tarantula, Albert Einstein no better than a rainbow trout.
So-called
“philosopher” John S. Wilkins has a contributing chapter in the book in which
he courageously asks, “Why do we in the West think that human beings are
special?” That explains a lot. Sadly, we are gradually losing that belief. Wilkins
snarkily adds: “Since every species is special... what is so special
about Homo
Sapiens that the needs of humans supplant the needs of all
other species?"
Who says, “every species is special?” How can one with
an assumedly skeptical, rational, scientific approach lead off with that
feelings-laden opinion?
Wilkins then proceeds to argue that the real reasons some
rubes have for believing humans somehow possess an elevated or unique moral
status are not scientific, but theological and socio-economic, stating: "[H]uman
exceptionalism results from modern interpretations of the biblical narratives,
economic motives, and sociocultural accidents.”
Yes, well, there is this Einstein
Wilkins: “So God created mankind in His own image.” So that would be a theological
reason. An economic motive would be that…humans created the economy, I
guess. I’m not sure what Wilkins means by a “sociocultural accident,” unless he
is referring to himself.
One is greatly tempted to ask Messieurs Mishler and
Swartz the following questions, among a great many others: Has any other
“species” written a play, symphony, or work of fiction? Did any other species
invent the printing press, automobiles, the internet, or hospitals? Paint the
Sistine Chapel? Build the Sistine Chapel? Has any other species fully contemplated
its place in the universe? Understood the concept of a “universe?”
Realized that it couldn’t have created itself and didn’t ask to be born? And recognized,
therefore, the necessity of a higher power?
Or even come to believe that “speciesism” is a
dire threat to the planet?
I think we all know the answer to those questions.
But that hubris is probably just another example of speciesism.
Right?
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