Peter Singer and animal rights
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Peter Singer’s argument against speciesism and think about how it can be used to argue for animal rights.
Key learning points
- Philosophical tools like thought experiments can help us reflect on our own views about animals.
- Peter Singer argued against speciesism; the idea it is unfair to treat beings worse just because they are not human.
- What matters morally is sentience; the ability to feel pain and pleasure.
- Key examples where speciesism often happens are using animals for food and for experiments.
Keywords
Speciesism - the belief that one species is more important than another
Sentience - the ability to experience pain and pleasure
Common misconception
Philosophers only think about moral issues related to humans.
Some philosophers also consider animals and what level of conciousness or sentience they may have.
Teacher tip
You might like to cut the thought experiment up and allow students to argue for one case and the other. Similarly with the final task they could debate both sides of arguments for the issues raised.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What does a philosopher do?
Q2.What is ethics?
Q3.What law covers how zoos treat animals in the UK?
Q4.What is veganism?
Q5.When did humans first start keeping pets?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Peter Singer believes in , meaning we should consider the interests of all beings, not just humans.
Q2.What does Singer say really matters when thinking about animals?
Q3.Animals are often killed for their , even when it is not needed for survival.
Q4.Why might using animals for entertainment be speciesist?
Q5.Philosophers only think about issues related to humans.
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Peter Singer and animal rights, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Peter Singer and animal rights, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Changing world: How should the Earth's resources be used? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.