Antispeciesism: Beyond Animal Rights and Liberation
Antispeciesism: Beyond Animal Rights and Liberation
Antispeciesism
Beyond Animal Rights
and
Beyond Animal Rights
and
Antispeciesism is
certainly a new concept in the world in which we are living. In our
society, animals are considered resources, or goods available for human
use.
Rarely do we give any thought to the suffering of
animals, or reflect on our attitudes towards them, let alone consider
the idea that they may be considered rights holders.
certainly a new concept in the world in which we are living. In our
society, animals are considered resources, or goods available for human
use.
Rarely do we give any thought to the suffering of
animals, or reflect on our attitudes towards them, let alone consider
the idea that they may be considered rights holders.
We
never consider whether this is a form of speciesism, that is, arbitrary
discrimination against those individuals who belong to a certain
species. In fact, even if we sometimes hear the term ‘animal rights’ we
seldom know what is it all about.
While
we show some concern for certain animals (such as dogs, cats, and some
wild creatures), most others are treated with total disregard. But an
animal need not be “cute” or human-like to have the ability to feel. A
trout, a pig, a chicken, a frog or a lobster all have the capacity for
experiencing joy or suffering pain or distress.
Their lives matter to them as much as our lives do to us, and they will defend themselves if they can.
we show some concern for certain animals (such as dogs, cats, and some
wild creatures), most others are treated with total disregard. But an
animal need not be “cute” or human-like to have the ability to feel. A
trout, a pig, a chicken, a frog or a lobster all have the capacity for
experiencing joy or suffering pain or distress.
Their lives matter to them as much as our lives do to us, and they will defend themselves if they can.
Whether
someone is male or female; black, white or green; has two legs or four;
swims, flies or walks, is irrelevant when it comes to the consideration
we owe them all, and to whether they should be protected by rights
which forbid that they be treated in ways that are harmful for them.
Antispeciesism is based on this idea.
someone is male or female; black, white or green; has two legs or four;
swims, flies or walks, is irrelevant when it comes to the consideration
we owe them all, and to whether they should be protected by rights
which forbid that they be treated in ways that are harmful for them.
Antispeciesism is based on this idea.
It is often claimed that we humans are “superior” to other animals because we are more intelligent.
But
how “intelligent” someone is should not affect our moral decisions, as
this is not what determines her or his ability to feel. The fact that a
young baby, a cow or a person with a severe mental disability is not
able to read philosophy, do mathematical calculations or make moral
judgements does not mean that their interests are any less relevant.
What matters is that all of them know pain and pleasure. Only our
interests can determine what rights we should have.
Disregarding the interests of animals
But
how “intelligent” someone is should not affect our moral decisions, as
this is not what determines her or his ability to feel. The fact that a
young baby, a cow or a person with a severe mental disability is not
able to read philosophy, do mathematical calculations or make moral
judgements does not mean that their interests are any less relevant.
What matters is that all of them know pain and pleasure. Only our
interests can determine what rights we should have.
Disregarding the interests of animals
It
is important to keep in mind that the situations in which animals’
interests are frustrated don’t constitute particular cases of unrelated
abuse. Rather, they arise from a general attitude toward non-human
animals prevalent in society today, namely, what is called speciesism.
This prejudice against other animals overlooks the fact that they, like
humans, are beings with the capacity to experience suffering and joy, as
they too have nervous systems.
is important to keep in mind that the situations in which animals’
interests are frustrated don’t constitute particular cases of unrelated
abuse. Rather, they arise from a general attitude toward non-human
animals prevalent in society today, namely, what is called speciesism.
This prejudice against other animals overlooks the fact that they, like
humans, are beings with the capacity to experience suffering and joy, as
they too have nervous systems.
Sometimes
it is claimed that other capacities are what matter, capacities such as
the use of language and other “intellectual” activities.
But
if this were so, it would also mean that only certain humans matter.
Some people, such as the mentally impaired or the newborn, would fall
outside the scope of moral concern, as they don’t meet those criteria.
However, this is something most of us find unacceptable, and, as we have
already seen, so-called intelligence in no way affects one’s sentience.
This is why the needs and interests of animals must be taken fully into
account – including their interest in living – without this
consideration being reduced to worrying only about some limited aspects
of their welfare.
it is claimed that other capacities are what matter, capacities such as
the use of language and other “intellectual” activities.
But
if this were so, it would also mean that only certain humans matter.
Some people, such as the mentally impaired or the newborn, would fall
outside the scope of moral concern, as they don’t meet those criteria.
However, this is something most of us find unacceptable, and, as we have
already seen, so-called intelligence in no way affects one’s sentience.
This is why the needs and interests of animals must be taken fully into
account – including their interest in living – without this
consideration being reduced to worrying only about some limited aspects
of their welfare.
Animals’ right to life
It is sometimes argued that concern for animals does not necessarily entail concern for their lives.
This
is said as a justification for exploiting them, provided that a minimum
of suffering is caused. But adopting such a position, apart from the
practical difficulty of exploiting and killing someone without causing
suffering, neglects the fundamental importance life has for animals.
This
is said as a justification for exploiting them, provided that a minimum
of suffering is caused. But adopting such a position, apart from the
practical difficulty of exploiting and killing someone without causing
suffering, neglects the fundamental importance life has for animals.
All
animals who have the capacity for enjoyment have an interest in living.
The reason for this is simple – once we are dead, nothing good can
happen to us any more, any possibility for further enjoyment disappears.
Death
is not harmful in that it is an unpleasant condition, because once dead
we stop having any sensations. Death is harmful because it rules out
any further possibility of positive experiences. This is why animals
have an interest in living. In fact, animals, in normal situations,
endure considerable amounts of pain in order to stay alive.
animals who have the capacity for enjoyment have an interest in living.
The reason for this is simple – once we are dead, nothing good can
happen to us any more, any possibility for further enjoyment disappears.
Death
is not harmful in that it is an unpleasant condition, because once dead
we stop having any sensations. Death is harmful because it rules out
any further possibility of positive experiences. This is why animals
have an interest in living. In fact, animals, in normal situations,
endure considerable amounts of pain in order to stay alive.
Where does this lead us?
Using
animals causes them suffering and death, and is therefore
unjustifiable. Regulating this exploitation won’t make any significant
difference, and will only reinforce the idea that using animals is, in
fact, right. The only solution is to give up treating animals as things
from which humans can benefit and to establish legal rights that will
safeguard their interests.
animals causes them suffering and death, and is therefore
unjustifiable. Regulating this exploitation won’t make any significant
difference, and will only reinforce the idea that using animals is, in
fact, right. The only solution is to give up treating animals as things
from which humans can benefit and to establish legal rights that will
safeguard their interests.
All sentient beings should have the right to live,
and to do so in liberty
and without suffering inflicted upon them.
To achieve this,
we must begin by abandoning the view
that animals are resources intended for human ends.
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