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

Animal Ethics

I will conclude with some remarks about the rights of animals. 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. Let us consider the moral question first. Hominum causa omne ius constitutum.)

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As long as it's legal, who am I to judge?

Animal Person

It might reflect the values of the majority in some ways (and in other ways not), but its function is not as a moral statement, said that professor. Funny thing is that the professor of the next class disagreed with some of that, and there's a class devoted to the history and function of our laws.

Laws 100
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Moral Vegetarianism, Part 1 of 13

Animal Ethics

A third of a century ago, when the modern animal-liberation movement was in its infancy, Martin published an essay entitled “A Critique of Moral Vegetarianism,” Reason Papers (fall 1976): 13-43. You will, therefore, agree with Martin about moral vegetarianism but not about Christianity. Another reason is moral. One is health.

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Leonard Nelson (1882-1927) on Duties and Rights

Animal Ethics

For every person, being a subject of interests, has rights, i.e., has a claim to respect of his interests under the law of equality of persons. Under the moral law, all beings who have interests are subjects of rights, while all those who in addition to having interests, are capable of grasping the demands of duty, are subjects of duties.

Rights 40
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Birds and Us: A 12,000 Year History from Cave Art to Conservation–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

The drawing on the left is from 1714, the one on the right is the result of Birkhead’s own dissection. The Index lists names, places, birds (by complete common name), and most of the book’s subjects (conservation, cruelty, extinction, morality, but ‘god’ is limited to animal gods).

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The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and Who Pays for It

10,000 Birds

A new willingness among scientists to consider certain moral and ethical implications with respect to wild animals, where previously utilitarian ideas prevailed, including ideas of intrinsic value. This standing and the rights associated with it must be enforceable against the government so that the public can hold it accountable.

Wildlife 247
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Deconstructing Slate's "Pepper" Series

Animal Person

It's one that's brought on, no doubt, by the acts of vandalism and intimidation of radical animal-rights groups, but I think it also serves to insulate the research community from any responsibility it might otherwise have to increase transparency and public engagement with the work. But the entire industry is questionable.