Animal Ethics

JANUARY 2, 2011

I propose that the moral significance of the suffering, mutilation, and death of non-human animals rests on the following, which may be called the overflow principle: Act towards that which, while not itself a person, is closely associated with personhood in a way coherent with an attitude of respect for persons.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Suffering Non Human 40

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 17, 2014

But the tenets of the North American Model were developed in the 19th century, when wildlife ethics and science were a mere glimmer of what we understand today. As a consequence, “people should treat all creatures decently, and protect them from cruelty, avoidable suffering, and unnecessary killing.”

Wildlife 244

Wildlife Coyotes Hunters Wolves 244

Animal Ethics

OCTOBER 29, 2008

Moral philosophers began to regard it as an obvious truth that it is wrong to treat animals cruelly. It should be observed, however, that if our analysis of the situation is correct, then this change in moral attitude resulted in a restriction of rights rather than an extension of them.

Animal Cruelty 40

Animal Cruelty 2004 Cruelty Vivisection 40

Animal Ethics

OCTOBER 23, 2009

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. Similar considerations, I suggest, apply when we ask whether it is proper to say that animals have moral rights.

Animal Rights 40

Animal Rights Rights Animal Cruelty 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 6, 2007

Since morally decent individuals oppose treating animals inhumanely for no good reason, factory farming is becoming an increasingly hard sell. According to the HPMAJ column, "Loos told cattle producers the livestock industry must show the public that there are moral and ethical justifications for taking the life of an animal to feed a person.

Factory 40

Factory Factory Farm Factory Farming Gestation Crates 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 25, 2008

If all pain is evil, as Bentham thought, then the pain of animals—assuming only that they can feel pain—ought not to be ignored in man's moral decisions. " but "Can they suffer?" It is enough that they are capable of suffering. "The question is not," so Bentham argues, "Can they reason?"

2004 40

2004 Animal Suffering Abandon 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 4, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. In fact, animals used for food do suffer a great deal. Now there is no doubt that the actual treatment of animals used for food is immoral, that animals are made to suffer needlessly.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Protest Protesting 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 2, 2008

Stop supporting unnecessary animal cruelty in all of its forms. Now that 2008 has arrived, I'd like once again to encourage new and old readers alike to make this the year that they stop supporting animal cruelty in all of its forms. Stop supporting unnecessary animal cruelty in all of its forms.

Rights 40

Rights Animal Cruelty Vegan Cruelty 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 31, 2006

Stop supporting unnecessary animal cruelty in all of its forms. Stop supporting unnecessary animal cruelty in all of its forms. What can I do to stop supporting unnecessary animal cruelty, and is it difficult to do so? g) Purchase cruelty-free cosmetics and personal care products instead. b) Stop eating animal products.

2007 40

2007 Rights Animal Cruelty Cruelty 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 23, 2006

Jonathan Hubbell, a philosophy major at the University of Texas at Arlington, is the newest member of the Animal Ethics blog, and once again, I would like to welcome him aboard. In his fresh and candid first post (available here ), Jonathan admitted that he is struggling with the issue of ethical vegetarianism.

Factory Farm 40

Factory Farm Factory Farming Morals Meat 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 24, 2006

Wherever companies profit from cruelty, you can rest assured that they will try to hide that cruelty from consumers, because cruelty makes a rather poor PR statement. Each semester when I teach Contemporary Moral Issues, on the first day of class I begin with a survey. Why is the dog subjected to such unspeakable cruelty?

Fur 40

Fur Fur Industry HSUS Raccoons 40