“Morality is about maximising human and animal well-being”
The history of Utilitarianism
Only being articulated in the 19th century, utilitarianism is now one of the most powerful approach to ethics and philosophy.
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill together shared the feeling that it is important to maximise the good for the largest number of people.
What is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is the doctrine that says, "actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of the majority"
This is not saying that if people dislike an animal it should be killed, it is saying if this animal could be tested to save a human it is worth the killing.
What does utilitarianism think about animal-testing?
The utilitarianism main principle is that what one should do determines how much happiness it will bring to the maximum number of things.
Therefore, even though a few animals may suffer as a result of being tested on but in the end, having found a cure for a disease. animal testing will bring happiness to many more than just a couple of animals. “Some animal research may be justified by its vital importance, as it may enable us to find cures for alleviate painful diseases.” However, utilitarian's would believe that the animal testing should be done in the most humane way as possible, trying to bring little pain to the animal.