SWA #8: Response to Matthew Scully's "Fear Factories"

            Scully uses a number of angles in his attempt to convince the reader that the cause against animal cruelty is in fact a conservative cause. Scully first of all shows that there are conservatives who are disgusted by the issue. Such is the case when Scully asked a fellow conservative writer about factory farming and the other author responded by saying “I don’t want to know.” This shows that the issue being discussed even disgusts conservatives whose best way of avoiding the issue is by simply ignoring it and not digging deeper. Scully appeals to those who consider themselves “moral conservatives” and states that it is a moral and righteous obligation for conservatives to stop factory farming. He makes this claim by referring to the fair treatment of animals as an “obligation” that moral conservatives must follow through with. Scully also uses an appeal from Pope Benedict XVI, who states that although it is permitted to eat meat, animals should be treated with respect, as they are our “companions in creation.” Lastly, Scully further establishes himself and gains more conservative support by separating himself from left-wing movements. Scully does this when he denounces the violent actions of groups like PETA in their fight for “animal liberation.”

            In his essay, Scully writes, “If reason and morality are what set human beings apart from animals, then reason and morality must always guide us in how we treat them, or else it’s all just caprice, unbridled appetite with the pretense of piety.” What Scully essentially says in this quote is that since humans have superior intellect to animals, then humans should use that intellect to protect these animals and not take advantage of them. The unique morality of the human race should guide humans to treat all living creatures with respect, which would make someone a righteous person. I personally agree with much of Scully’s statement. I see this situation in terms of a power perspective. Although humans have the power to do whatever they so choose with many animals, humans should also have the power to control themselves and keep from putting these living creatures in a harmful situation. I believe that all humans have a basic secular moral code that transcends all religious beliefs. The basis of the moral code is treating all living creatures with dignity. Therefore, the moral code of humans should be the strongest power in this situation.

            Scully does address some views that are different than his own. The main view that he addresses is the “false conservative” view that animals are secondary to humans and therefore, their treatment is not an issue. He does refer to these people when he speaks about religious conservative politicians who in talking about animals as secondary creatures forget that there is still a moral obligation for them to treat animals with care. Scully responds to this by giving a couple of hypothetical situations asking questions such as “What would the Good Shepherd make of factory farms?” I feel that Scully does expect for his views to be fully attacked, but he does a quality job refuting the contrary claims of other people.