{"id":1665,"date":"2015-03-01T01:13:55","date_gmt":"2015-03-01T09:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pawsacrossthenation.org\/pawsTalk\/?page_id=1665"},"modified":"2015-03-01T01:51:06","modified_gmt":"2015-03-01T09:51:06","slug":"a-question-of-ethics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/pawsacrossthenation.org\/pawsTalk\/learn-more\/a-question-of-ethics\/","title":{"rendered":"A question of Ethics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ethics – Critical element of higher thinking that differentiates man from most other animals<\/h1>\n

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Outstanding presentation by Thomas White, arguing that it is ethically indefensible to keep dolphins in captivity because captive facilities cannot provide the conditions necessary for “flourishing.”<\/p>\n

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Flourishing highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"FreeOf special significance is dolphins’ sense of self, a trait displayed by few species – man, dolphins, chimps, and elephants are examples. When this ability is present, it allows us to not only perceive the world, but also to reflect upon our perceptions, giving us a sense of “I<\/strong>” – a sense of uniqueness. Dolphins’ sense of self must be considered in any debate on the ethics of captivity.<\/p>\n

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Next consideration – how do humans punish other humans. Incarceration. Severe punishment is isolation. Apply this to the example of Lolita, captured in 1970 as a very young orca from the “L” pod of the Southern Resident orca community in the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n

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Lolita is the only orca housed at the Miami Seaquarium. Her former tank-mate, Hugo, died in March of 1980 after repeatedly smashing his head into the walls of the tank in what is described as an act of suicide. Lolita has been alone ever since!<\/p>\n

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The ability to adapt to an environment that cannot allow us to progress as an individual does not equate to flourishing. To learn what conditions cetaceans need to thrive requires study of them in the wild. They are highly social beings, more so than humans; they need to be part of a consistent social unit and need to be able to choose their relationships. They need freedom of movement and control over their lives. They must have conditions that challenge them progress as individuals. Repeating –\u00a0 self-aware like humans, cetaceans need interaction with others and life challenges similar to those that humans need if they are to thrive.<\/p>\n

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Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those in the marine park industry who are making decisions and statements regarding cetaceans in captivity are financial specialists. Their focus is not on scientific data, but on making money.<\/p>\n

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Tactics used by the marine park industry include attempts to discredit well known and respected professionals in the scientific community as well as those whose expertise is in business ethics by labeling them as radicals, a term that discourages the open mind of the public. The industry consistently attempts to limit discussion and has been called to task repeatedly – for promoting the idea that it has contributed significant scientific research on cetaceans – by respected marine biologists respected in the field, such as Dr. Naomi Rose.<\/p>\n

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