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H. B. Acton (1908-1974) on Animal Rights

Animal Ethics

When it is asked whether animals have rights, and whether human beings have duties to them, the question, I think, is partly moral and partly verbal. The question of words is whether to talk about the rights of animals is likely to mislead. Persons are beings with rights and duties, whereas no one supposes that animals have duties.

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Prima Facie vs. Ultima Facie Wrongness

Animal Ethics

Rest assured that if you are purchasing meat from your favorite fast food restaurant, your favorite sit-down chain restaurant, or your local grocery store, you are purchasing the flesh of a tortured animal. that slow us down and make us chronically ill.” That's one more reason to forego the Christmas Turkey or Ham this year.