moral consideration

Moral consideration refers to the ethical principle that certain beings or entities deserve our attention and respect because of their capacity to experience well-being or suffering. It means we recognize their interests and include them in our moral decisions, rather than ignoring or dismissing them. For example, many believe animals deserve moral consideration because they can feel pain, just as humans do. This concept guides us to treat others—whether people, animals, or even the environment—with fairness, compassion, and responsibility, based on their ability to experience life’s positive or negative aspects.