Monday, May 17, 2010
Brent Newman - Tradition or Torture: A Look into Modern-day Bullfighting in Spain (THURS)
From the ancient island of Crete to the Iberian Peninsula, bulls have been the focus of many religious ceremonies, cultural tradition, and art in Europe. While the history of bullfighting remains uncertain, a majority of respected historians trace the origins of this spectacle to Spain. Barbaric and cruel to the common tourist or foreigner, bullfighting or corrida de torros (running of the bulls) is a Spanish pastime rooted in history, tradition, and art. Because of its significance in ancient times as well as today, bullfighting must be evaluated in the context of its cultural evolution in Spain to fully understand the complex beliefs and established practices that sustain it. This paper seeks to prove that the art of bullfighting, in the context of Spanish culture, employs ethically sound rules and actions which prove the current protesting of the “blood sport” illogical.
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If we evaluate a practice in its cultural contexts, must we then only apply the morals of that tradition to the situation? If so, how do we explain the evolution of outlawing such things as dog fighting? How is moral progress ever made?
ReplyDeleteAlthough this seems to be a very interesting subject, doesn't this play heavily into the theory of cultural relativism? Does tradition necessarily make things ethically right?
ReplyDeleteYour view seems to support cultural relativism, so I question according to whom are the rules "ethically sound"? Do you believe the tradition of the people overrules the suffering of the animals?
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is contextual but not culturally relative. What entrinsic value does a "blood sport" like this provide if any?
ReplyDeleteBentham's argument against animal cruelty seems to go against bull fighting. How would you justify bull fighting in the case of Bentham' argument?
ReplyDeleteWill you talk about animal rights at all? Since animals are a part of our environment and have the capacity of sensation and perception is it right to cause them pain for the sake of human pleasure? (I assume that the spectator or participant experiences some kind of satisfaction out of this event and that is not only done for the sake of tradition. -Is that the case?)
ReplyDeleteHow can the use of bulls as a tool for entertainment affect gaia?
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Runtian Bai's question: To what extent does culture and tradition take precedent in regards to morally issues? Couldn't the same argument be made in regards to other issues (female circumcision, slavery, etc.)? Do animals posses intrinsic value? If so, if the intrinsic value of animals can be 'overridden' then can the same also be done in regard to humans?
ReplyDeleteYou state that tourists can see this practice as barbaric, but aren't there some groups of tourists who travel simply to witness this type of spectacle? Do you feel they hold any ethical or moral responsibilities to the animals?
ReplyDeleteIn your abstract, you seem to support cultural relativist ideas, at least within the culture of Spain. Does this belief extend to other cultures or areas around the world? What about to other countries that began practicing bullfighting after hearing about it from Spain?
ReplyDeleteDo tourists disregard the heuristic and critical functions of cultural relativism? In what ways can you use cultural imperialism to your advantage?
ReplyDeleteIs cultural relativism addressed? Should it be an ethical principle? Could the bullfighting be linked with another moral making it unethical?
ReplyDeleteCan cultural relativism be ethical in the sense of animal rights?
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a great example of cultural relativism. Going back to the idea that some bury their dead, some eat them, and some burn them how do you decide what is acceptable? It may not be ok in your culture but ok in another. However some things should be wrong in all cultures like murder, so how do you decide where to draw the line of acceptable and unacceptable and be able to be open to others views while still respecting what is right or wrong across all of human kind or in this case animal kind?
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to do a cost benefit analysis of bullfighting so that we can get an idea of its monetary value? But how would on go about putting a monetary value on the act of bullfighting? And there is also the question of who is running the CBA so that there is not a bias. It would also be a good idea to run a value effective analysis.
ReplyDelete