The group well-being of an animal species

Abstract

To benefit an animal species as a group could mean to support its survival and functioning as a species or to promote the aggregate welfare of its members. This paper considers the pros and cons of these alternatives and defends a third possibility on which ‘group well-being’ is a form of value distinct from holistic and individual good. According to this third view, the group well-being of a species is what benefits individuals considered as part of the species and taken together as a group. This includes the welfare of animals of the species insofar as this draws on structural features of the species (such as, potentially, the species’ survival and reproduction, ecological role, and social organization) as well as these structures themselves insofar as they support the welfare of individuals of the species. This is group well-being as the ‘common good’ of a species and can serve alongside holistic and individual values as a focus for environmental concern.