Moral Patient vs. Moral Subject

Attribute	Moral Patient	Moral Subject
Capable of experiencing suffering	Yes	Yes
Deserves moral consideration	Yes	Yes
Can be acted upon morally	Yes	Yes
Can have rights and duties	Not typically	Yes
Can be held morally responsible	No	Yes

Definition

When discussing ethics and morality, two important concepts that often come up are moral patients and moral subjects. A moral patient is an entity that is capable of being harmed or benefited, but does not have the capacity to understand or respond to moral reasons. On the other hand, a moral subject is an entity that not only has the capacity to be harmed or benefited, but also has the capacity to understand and respond to moral reasons.

Attributes of Moral Patients

Moral patients are typically seen as beings that are deserving of moral consideration, even though they may not be able to understand or respond to moral reasons. This includes animals, infants, and individuals with severe cognitive disabilities. Moral patients are considered to have intrinsic value, meaning that they have value in and of themselves, regardless of their usefulness to others.

One key attribute of moral patients is their vulnerability. Because they lack the ability to understand or respond to moral reasons, they are often at the mercy of others to protect their interests and well-being. This vulnerability makes them deserving of special consideration and protection in moral decision-making.

Another attribute of moral patients is their passive nature in moral interactions. They are not active participants in moral decision-making processes, but rather the recipients of moral actions. This passive role underscores the importance of considering their interests and well-being in ethical decision-making.

Moral patients are often seen as having a certain moral standing that requires others to take their interests into account. This moral standing is based on the belief that all beings that can be harmed or benefited deserve moral consideration, regardless of their ability to understand or respond to moral reasons.

Overall, moral patients are entities that are deserving of moral consideration due to their vulnerability, intrinsic value, and passive nature in moral interactions. They are seen as having a certain moral standing that requires others to take their interests into account in ethical decision-making.

Attributes of Moral Subjects

Unlike moral patients, moral subjects are entities that not only have the capacity to be harmed or benefited, but also have the capacity to understand and respond to moral reasons. This includes most adult humans, who are considered to be moral agents capable of making moral decisions and understanding the consequences of their actions.

One key attribute of moral subjects is their agency. They have the ability to make choices and take actions based on moral reasons, and are held accountable for their moral decisions. This agency gives them a certain level of moral responsibility that is not present in moral patients.

Another attribute of moral subjects is their ability to engage in moral dialogue and reasoning. They are able to understand and respond to moral arguments, and can participate in discussions about ethical issues. This ability to engage in moral reasoning is what sets moral subjects apart from moral patients.

Moral subjects are often seen as having a higher moral status than moral patients, due to their agency, ability to engage in moral reasoning, and moral responsibility. They are considered to be active participants in moral decision-making processes, rather than passive recipients of moral actions.

Overall, moral subjects are entities that not only have the capacity to be harmed or benefited, but also have the capacity to understand and respond to moral reasons. They are seen as having a higher moral status than moral patients, due to their agency, ability to engage in moral reasoning, and moral responsibility.

Comparison

When comparing moral patients and moral subjects, it is clear that they have distinct attributes that set them apart from each other. Moral patients are beings that are deserving of moral consideration due to their vulnerability, intrinsic value, and passive nature in moral interactions. On the other hand, moral subjects are entities that not only have the capacity to be harmed or benefited, but also have the capacity to understand and respond to moral reasons, making them active participants in moral decision-making processes.

While moral patients are often seen as having a certain moral standing that requires others to take their interests into account, moral subjects are held to a higher moral standard due to their agency, ability to engage in moral reasoning, and moral responsibility. This distinction highlights the importance of considering the different attributes of moral patients and moral subjects in ethical decision-making.

Overall, both moral patients and moral subjects play important roles in ethical considerations, with moral patients deserving of special consideration and protection due to their vulnerability, and moral subjects being held accountable for their moral decisions and actions. Understanding the attributes of both moral patients and moral subjects is essential for making informed and ethical decisions that take into account the interests and well-being of all beings.