In this research report I address the question: Is it ever morally justified to cull elephants?
And, if it is, what criteria need to be fulfilled for a cull to be morally justifiable?
In answering the first part of the question, ‘Is it ever morally correct to cull elephants?’ I
defend the claim that the killing of elephants is a pro tanto wrong. The second part of the
question, ‘What criteria need to be fulfilled for a cull to be morally justifiable?’, directs my
attention to identifying conditions under which the pro tanto wrong of killing elephants
could be outweighed by other moral considerations. I identify and critically discuss these
criteria, developing what I call a ‘Theory of a Just Cull’. Finally, I apply my Theory to the
current situation in South Africa, and argue that it is not possible to ethically justify
elephant culling in South Africa in the current circumstances.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/11676 |
| Date | 12 July 2012 |
| Creators | Gallagher, Felicity Vanessa |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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