Many have employed science and reason and proved to their own satisfaction that certain “inferior” or “backward” humans should be eliminated: sterilized or killed.
Please read up on Karl Pearson and Francis Galton and Margaret Sanger and H.G. Wells not to mention the Nazis and the Communists.
“Maximizing the well being of all conscious beings“ how can that be proven by science? Isn’t science a description of reality rather than a declaration of morality?
In every system of morality, which I have hitherto met with, I have always remarked, that the author proceeds for some time in the ordinary way of reasoning, and establishes the being of a God, or makes observations concerning human affairs; when of a sudden I am surprised to find, that instead of the usual copulations of propositions,
is, and
is not, I meet with no proposition that is not connected with an
ought, or an
ought not. This change is imperceptible; but is, however, of the last consequence. For as this
ought, or
ought not, expresses some new relation or affirmation, it's necessary that it should be observed and explained; and at the same time that a reason should be given, for what seems altogether inconceivable, how this new relation can be a deduction from others, which are entirely different from it. But as authors do not commonly use this precaution, I shall presume to recommend it to the readers; and am persuaded, that this small attention would subvert all the vulgar systems of morality, and let us see, that the distinction of vice and virtue is not founded merely on the relations of objects, nor is perceived by reason. - David Hume
And please tell me precisely which animals are “conscious beings”. And when exactly does a child in her mother’s womb become conscious?
And what exactly is “well being”? Is it the absence of suffering? Is it achievement? Is it hedonism?
Also consider:
7 Christian men or movements who helped end slavery in America