Why do we place lesser value on the lives and souls of animals, than we do on humans?

Question

I'm not talking entirely about their usage as a food source. In general, we place lesser value on their souls than we do the souls of humans - we see their existance as worth less than humankind. Why, when the term 'animal' comes from the Latin 'anima' meaning spirit? There is much evidence that suggests this. We know that they're living, feeling creatures. And when it comes to living, feeling humans, we are taught to show respect and sympathy. But when it comes to animals, we are largely taught either to eat them, use them as working tools, or eradicate them. Just consider the saying, "they're no better than an animal".
I imagine some people may comment "I love my pets". Valid point. But would you mourn your pet cat as deeply as you would a human member of your family? No. Would you mourn your pet goldfish as much as you would your pet cat? No. It seems the smaller the animal, the less value it has. How many people would stamp on a human being to death because they didn't like the way they looked or they gave them a fright?! But how many would think twice about doing it to a spider?

Answer 1

well its mainly because of a communication level that humans share with each other. empathy is mostly based on communication, and plus its instinctive to empathize with your own kind

Answer 2

I think we believe animals have less value than humans because they aren't like us, we seem to be more intelligent as we communicate more efficiently, have larger brains and walk upright. Personally, I quite agree with what you are saying. Different people would give you different answers e.g. a stereotypical Christian may say that animals don't have souls and God breathed life into humans which he did not do with animals so humans are superior.

Answer 3

because humans are higher in the 'scale' per say. We sort of 'run' the world in a scene, if rats killed up us like we kill them who do you expect to run the factories and machines and offices? The cats? Second of all, theres a million spiders in the world, if we let all of them live then we'd all die from spider invasion, even nature kills animals for population control. Seconddddd of all, would you stomp on a horse and kill it if it gave you a fright? no durrr. and lastly, we are WAY more emotionaly connected to humans then we are to animals, you know when your a little kid and you just LOVE your goldfish? you cry like non other when it dies. But when you get older you get more associated with humans and i have to say, humans are my choise to hang out with and make relationships with then a fish. and so i mourn the human instead of the fish when they both die!

Answer 4

I think the argument is that animals are less sentient, and hence, they would be less able feel, perceive and have subjective experiences. Therefore, it is more justified to harm an animal than a human being because of the less suffering caused.

Answer 5

Tribalism.

Answer 6

A ket contributor is that many Christians teach that animals do not have souls. The "kindness" of religion stikes again!

Answer 7

Lack of education.

Answer 8

IF there was such a thing, why would animals have one?