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DanArmak comments on Poly marriage? - Less Wrong Discussion

-9 Post author: h-H 06 June 2012 07:57PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 07 June 2012 06:03:35PM 3 points [-]

I wonder what kind of legal recognition might work to encourage and recognize pet owners who have developed particularly deep (I'm not talking sexual necessarily) bonds to their pets. Considering the benefits of such relationships to society I think they deserve some recognition, not really marriage (which was brought up by some commenters), but something.

Comment author: DanArmak 07 June 2012 07:14:43PM 4 points [-]

It isn't clear to me what the purpose of such a legally recognized partnership would be. All the functions of legal inter-human marriage that I can think of are inapplicable. Humans already have the rights to do anything they want to their pets. Giving rights to pets is pointless if they can't effectively claim them (deciding on partner's treatment in a medical emergency, custody of partner's body after death). Tax and property rights - non-humans can't own property or money. Custody of children is irrelevant. Etc.