Reading Questions 1

Phil 287-07E
September 8th, 2016

Descartes, Locke, and Kant

1. Do either of the following: (A.) Identify something from the text that you don't
understand and try to explain it: (B.) Identify something from the text that you disagree
with and explain why you disagree with it; (C.) Identify something important from the text
that you agree with, and explain why it is important.
I believe that Lockes view that property should be used to the most extant is important in
that it tells people to be efficient with their use of land. His viewpoint could lead to less waste of
land on earth.
2. Explain how the distinction between the soul and the body functions in Descartes'
argument justifying the superiority of humans over non-human animals.
Descartes describes animals as machines whose parts react to instinct, while we act
through reason and knowledge. The bodies of animals, which could possibly be better or worse
than ours, are very similar to ours. The organs of animals and humans are very comparable.
However, animals contain a corporeal soul which is purely mechanical and judges their motion.
Humans work with an incorporeal mind, in which the soul is defined as a thinking substance.
3. If we assume a secular standpoint, and thus reject Descartes' religious basis for human
superiority, do you think his conclusion of human superiority has any justification?
Explain.
There is some justification to his conclusion of human superiority in that humans
definitely show a higher level of reason, thought, and consciousness than animals; and this can
be attributed to natural selection and evolution instead of God given us these abilities.
4. Explain Locke's reasoning for why there must be a way to acquire private property. Why
does he identify labor as the key to understanding the nature of private property?
Locke believes that people have the right to as much of their property as they want, so
long as they use all that property entirely. He states that laboring on the property for economic
benefit is the fundamental reason for mans right to own nature.

5. Explain the rationale for the limitation on private property based on the rule not to
waste.
Locke explains that people have a limit to the amount of property they own, and this limit
is based on how they use that property. If someone cannot use the entirety of the property they
own, then they are just wasting that land which someone else could use instead.
6. Explain the connection among the second limitation Locke put on private property, the
as much and as good provision, the invention of money, and the expansion of Europeans
to America.
He refers to taking too much property from your neighbor. The as much and as good
provision states that you should not hoard. This is the principle of fairness. Europeans came to
America and took as much of the land as they believe they deserved. The expansion was the
result of Europeans trying to get as much and as good.
7. Explain how Kant distinguishes an end-in-itself and a mere thing.
Things are beings whose existence depends on natures will and are also nonrational.
People are ends in themselves because their nature, their rationality, makes them that way. Kant
wants humans to treat other humans as an end itself, not as a means to an end.
8. Even though animals are, for Kant, mere things, why is it wrong to harm animals in
many instances? Alternatively, when is it allowable to harm animals?
Kant Believes that our duty towards animals are indirect duties towards humanity,
because animal nature has analogies to human nature. Thus, it is wrong to harm animals in
instances where one would also harm humans. Its okay to hurt animals for research purposes.
9. Do you agree with Kant's view that animals are mere things? Explain.
No, because I believe that nature views and treats us and animals equally.