illuminatiscottWed, Sep 9, 2009 @nagash - I would have to disagree. Although I value all life, I do see more value in human life than other life. We are genetically programmed to think this way based on biological altruism. But there is rationale behind it, as well. We as humans have a capacity to care for, protect, and nurture members of other species. We are the most powerful and intelligent species on the planet, if not as individuals than certainly as a whole. We now have, at least in theory, the capacity to create and destroy other species, and to bring back those driven to extinction either by our hand or that of nature. We now have the capacity to affect the planet more than all other species combined. Thus we are more important, thus we are more valuable. I admit I haven't thought through this argument thoroughly, so feel free to knock it down as you see fit.
@nagash - I would have to disagree. Although I value all life, I do see more value in human life than other life. We are genetically programmed to think this way based on biological altruism. But there is rationale behind it, as well. We as humans have a capacity to care for, protect, and nurture members of other species. We are the most powerful and intelligent species on the planet, if not as individuals than certainly as a whole. We now have, at least in theory, the capacity to create and destroy other species, and to bring back those driven to extinction either by our hand or that of nature. We now have the capacity to affect the planet more than all other species combined. Thus we are more important, thus we are more valuable. I admit I haven't thought through this argument thoroughly, so feel free to knock it down as you see fit.