Animal Person

JUNE 22, 2009

Their claim is that what has become the customary way to take sentient nonhumans from babyhood to untimely death is not humane. There's no "compassion" in the process. It's impersonal and hideously ugly and the animals suffer greatly. It's cruel. No argument here.

Factory Farm 100

Factory Farm Factory Farming Slaughter Slaughtered 100

Animal Ethics

JULY 21, 2008

By comparing the common mind-set that has produced both the past injustices against humans and the current abuses of animals, we can and do inspire debate and convince many people that it is a human obligation to speak out against injustice to all beings. Animal suffering and human suffering are undeniably interconnected.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Animal Abuse Ethical Treatment 40

4 The Love Of Animals

MARCH 17, 2011

Dogs are able to detect diseases such as cancer and diabetes and warn humans of impending heart attacks and strokes. Many animals also display wide-ranging emotions, including joy, happiness, empathy, compassion, grief, and even resentment and embarrassment. In many ways, human emotions are the gifts of our animal ancestors.

Emotional 100

Emotional Animal Whales Whaling 100

Animal Ethics

JULY 22, 2008

Common-sense, rational reforms reflect the emerging consensus of mainstream animal protection groups like the Humane Society of the United States and millions of Americans who care about animals. Suffering is far from a uniquely human experience.

New York Times 40

New York Times Humane Society Of The United States New York Apes 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 24, 2007

Their suffering is the same. There are no “lofty pedestals” for those without compassion or empathy for other creatures. It’s time to stop pandering to hunters and the gun lobby and turn to humane measures to control the deer population and outlaw this barbaric pastime.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Compassion Slaughter 40

Animal Person

JANUARY 11, 2010

When it comes to believers, I agree with Phelps that all religious traditions have some kind of basis for mercy or compassion or relieving suffering that we can use in our advocacy. They might not have a rights position, but we use what we have. Ask them what they had for breakfast.

Vegan 100

Vegan Advocacy Animal Abuse Compassion 100

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 31, 2007

Just days before Barbaro was humanely put down, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act was reintroduced in Congress. In an incredible juxtaposition to the fanfare of Barbaro, more than 100,000 horses were slaughtered last year in the United States and shipped to Europe and Japan for human consumption.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Horse Slaughter Slaughter 40

Animal Ethics

AUGUST 2, 2008

We pay lip service to more humane treatment of the animals that we eat, but how many of us look beyond the label on the package of chicken cutlets? Doesn’t he realize that he does not have to engage in this voluntary activity, which causes moral conflict for himself and suffering for the animals? We know that animals suffer as well.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Factory Farm Factory Farming 40

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

There are are presently thought to be five species of kiwi with a possible sixth extinct species, all of which have suffered varying degrees of range contraction since the arrival of humans. The Bay of Islands is a very popular area for tourists, both those looking for natural history and for human history. Thanks for visiting!

New Zealand 148

New Zealand 2011 Deer New York 148

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 23, 2006

He clearly thinks that it is wrong to cause animals to suffer unnecessarily, but he appears to be somewhat ambivalent about killing animals (provided the killing is carried out humanely). I suspect that underlying his thinking here is a common rationalization that many of my students initially embrace.

Factory Farm 40

Factory Farm Factory Farming Morals Meat 40