Issues of animal life and death — AQA A-Level Religious Studies

This topic explores religious and ethical perspectives on animal life and death, including animal rights, stewardship, dominion, and the use of animals for food, experimentation, and entertainment. It examines key thinkers like Peter Singer and Andrew Linzey, and applies ethical theories such as utilitarianism and natural law to these issues.

The issue of animal life and death is a key area of study in AQA A-Level Religious Studies, exploring the moral and religious questions surrounding the treatment of animals. It covers topics such as animal rights, the use of animals for food, experimentation, and entertainment, and the religious concepts of stewardship and dominion. This topic is significant because it challenges students to apply ethical theories and religious teachings to real-world issues, developing critical thinking and evaluative skills.

The topic is divided into two main areas: religious perspectives (primarily Christian) and secular ethical perspectives. Christian teachings often emphasise the special status of humans, created in God's image, but also stress the responsibility to care for creation. Secular approaches, such as Peter Singer's utilitarianism, argue for the equal consideration of animal interests based on their capacity to suffer. Understanding these different viewpoints is essential for evaluating arguments and forming reasoned conclusions.

This topic connects to broader themes in the course, such as ethical theories (utilitarianism, natural law, situation ethics) and the nature of humanity. It also links to contemporary debates about environmental ethics and animal welfare, making it highly relevant. Students are expected to be able to explain and evaluate different positions, using evidence and examples, and to construct coherent arguments in exam answers.

• →Stewardship: The belief that humans have a duty to care for God's creation, including animals, as responsible caretakers.
• →Dominion: The idea that humans have authority over animals, often interpreted as either exploitation or responsible rule.
• →Sanctity of life: The religious belief that all life is sacred and should be protected, though often applied primarily to human life.
• →Speciesism: A term coined by Peter Singer to describe discrimination against beings based on species membership, analogous to racism or sexism.
• →Animal rights: The view that animals have inherent moral rights, such as the right to life and freedom from suffering.

• Use of animals as food and intensive farming
• Use of animals in scientific procedures and cloning
• Blood sports
• Animals as a source of organs for transplants
• Application of Natural Moral Law to animal issues
• Application of Situation Ethics to animal issues
• Application of Virtue Ethics to animal issues

• 💡Ensure you can apply the specific normative theories (Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics, Virtue Ethics) to each of the four listed animal issues.
• 💡Be prepared to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these ethical theories when applied to non-human life.
• 💡Use specialist terminology accurately when discussing ethical frameworks.
• 💡Always define key terms and use precise religious and philosophical vocabulary, such as 'stewardship', 'speciesism', and 'intrinsic value'.
• 💡When evaluating, ensure you consider both religious and secular perspectives, and reach a justified conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.
• 💡Use specific examples, such as the use of animals in medical research or factory farming, to illustrate your points and show application.

• Misconception: All Christians believe animals have no rights. Correction: Many Christians interpret stewardship as requiring compassionate treatment of animals, and some, like Andrew Linzey, argue for animal rights based on the belief that God cares for all creation.
• Misconception: Peter Singer believes animals have rights. Correction: Singer is a utilitarian, not a rights theorist. He argues for equal consideration of interests, not absolute rights, and would allow animal use if it maximises overall preference satisfaction.
• Misconception: The Bible gives humans unlimited power over animals. Correction: While Genesis 1:28 says 'rule over', Genesis 2:15 and other passages emphasise care and responsibility, leading many theologians to interpret dominion as stewardship.

1. 1Week 1: Focus on religious perspectives. Read and summarise Christian teachings on animals, including stewardship and dominion. Create flashcards for key terms and biblical references.
2. 2Week 2: Study secular ethical perspectives, especially Peter Singer's arguments. Compare and contrast with religious views. Practice writing short paragraphs explaining each view.
3. 3Week 3: Apply the theories to specific issues: animal experimentation, factory farming, and blood sports. Write full 15-mark essays on each issue, using the structure: introduction, arguments for, arguments against, evaluation, conclusion.
4. 4Week 4: Review past paper questions and mark schemes. Identify common pitfalls and practice planning answers under timed conditions. Use active recall to test your knowledge of key quotes and thinkers.

• 📋Explain questions (5 marks): These ask you to explain a concept or belief, e.g., 'Explain what Christians mean by stewardship.' Advice: Define the term, use biblical evidence, and explain its implications.
• 📋Evaluate questions (15 marks): These ask you to evaluate a statement, e.g., 'Evaluate the view that animals have rights equal to humans.' Advice: Present both sides, use key thinkers, and reach a justified conclusion.
• 📋Compare and contrast questions (10 marks): These ask you to compare religious and secular views, e.g., 'Compare Christian and utilitarian approaches to animal experimentation.' Advice: Use a table to organise similarities and differences, and use specific examples.