Final answer:
The line of argument does the essay writer employ in this excerpt is d) Using a reciprocal analogy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt, the essay writer employs a reciprocal analogy by comparing the treatment of animals to the treatment of humans, highlighting the shared need for care and emphasizing that if animals deserve care, then humans, as more cognizant beings, unquestionably merit the same level or greater care and consideration.
The essay utilizes this reciprocal analogy to emphasize the fundamental right to care for humans, drawing a parallel between the care afforded to animals and the essentiality of extending similar, if not superior, care to humans. By establishing this comparison, the writer argues that if we recognize the importance of providing care to animals, it logically follows that humans, with higher cognitive abilities and societal roles, should unequivocally be entitled to a level of care that is at least as substantial.
This use of reciprocal analogy strengthens the argument for the provision of human care as an undeniable and essential right, underlining the ethical imperative of extending care to all beings, particularly to humans who possess greater awareness and needs.
The correct answer is d) Using a reciprocal analogy.