Hobbits, Monkeys and Homo Sapiens

It seems that the recent discovery of a possible new species of human, Homo floresiensis, has provided yet another opportunity for Richard Dawkins to foist his animal-rights philosophy upon us (“Just Don’t Call Them Hobbits,” Commentary, Nov. 9). This time, Dawkins asks us -- “us” meaning the usual suspects of morally corrupt, flesh-eating Homo sapiens -- to consider the moral implications if Homo floresiensis actually still exists somewhere in the world.

Now, clap three times and imagine a world where another new species of human becomes dominant: the wide-eyed Homo idealist. In this brave new world, pain and suffering, disease, death, even extinction cease to exist. Here, the Homo idealist and all species of animals live forever, subsisting in perfect harmony on a vegan diet of fruits and nuts, tofu and fava beans.

Now, clap three times if you believe in fairies.

Tom Higgins

Granada Hills

*

Dawkins’ moral ranting struck a strange chord. So, monkeys are more important than human embryos because they have some qualities that we can see: love, fear, thought. Well, let’s just round up the humans that do not display these qualities and sterilize or kill them. Hitler saw that as an answer. Believers stood against him, and they will stand against the willful destruction of those who are least able to stand for themselves. The line is absolutely fixed.

Steve Wilcox

Chino Hills