Re: Humans ARE Animals

"Humans are distinct from the rest of the animal kingdom in that we are self-aware to a degree that allows us to determine our own destiny"

I agree with the general sentiment that self-awareness makes a difference that we should respect, but Dante is correct in that this is not carefully delineated along the line of species. I have often been astonished at the inability to understand others demonstrated by professionals who have devoted their lives to the task, and on the other hand a number of non-human animals have been shown to have rudimentary languages.

You are nearly correct that there is no such thing as an inherent right in much the same way as there is no such thing as color, but as Lawrence Kohlberg has documented the highest levels of moral reasoning assume them.