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Tom Regan on Rights

Animal Ethics

Whether individuals have legal rights depends on the laws and other legal background (e.g., The concept of moral rights differs in important ways from that of legal rights. First, moral rights, if there are any, are universal. A second feature of moral rights is that they are equal. In some countries (e.g.,

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Steven M. Wise on Legal Rights for Animals

Animal Ethics

In 2002 the German Parliament amended Article 26 of the Basic Law to give nonhuman animals the right to be “respected as fellow creatures” and to be protected from “avoidable pain.” But a change in the common law (which Germany does not have) may be the most likely of all. What is the common law? Salem and Andrew N.

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Tom Regan on the Animal-Rights Movement

Animal Ethics

But prejudices die hard, all the more so when, as in the present case, they are insulated by widespread secular customs and religious beliefs, sustained by large and powerful economic interests, and protected by the common law. Might does not make right; might does make law. Moral philosophy is no substitute for political action.

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Plant Rights

Animal Ethics

If Smith thinks that plant rights and animal rights stand or fall together, then he is confused, for there is a morally relevant difference between plants and animals, namely, that only the latter are sentient. Animal rights ideology holds that moral worth comes with sentience or the ability to suffer.

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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.

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Are You Wearing Man's Best Friend? That Trim on the Hood of Your Jacket Might Be Dog Fur!

Animal Ethics

According to this Associated Press story, if you are wearing a Sean John jacket with fur trim purchased from Macy's, that trim might have come from a dog indigenous to Asia known as a "raccoon dog." According to HSUS's investigation (detailed in their press release ), the Sean John Hooded Snorkel Jacket on sale at macys.com for $237.99

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