Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Mark Rowlands' Website , Wikipedia Page, and Blog
Dr. Mark Rowlands makes an argument for animal rights from within a John Rawls inspired contractarian framework.
http://www.markrowlandsauthor.com/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rowlands
http://rowlands.philospot.com/
http://www.markrowlandsauthor.com/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rowlands
http://rowlands.philospot.com/
Richard Ryder's Website
Website of Dr. Richard Ryder, inventor of the term specieisism, animal advocate, movement historian, and developer of the concept of painism.
Main Page: http://www.richardryder.co.uk/index.html
Speciesism Page: http://www.richardryder.co.uk/speciesism.html
Painism Page: http://www.richardryder.co.uk/painism.html
Main Page: http://www.richardryder.co.uk/index.html
Speciesism Page: http://www.richardryder.co.uk/speciesism.html
Painism Page: http://www.richardryder.co.uk/painism.html
Monday, December 27, 2010
Peter Singer's Case for Vegetarianism Explained
Despite the confusing title, which simplies that Peter Singer supports rights for animals (as a utilitarian, Singer rejects the rights view), this article provides a fairly clear and concise explanation of Singer's case for vegetarianism:
http://liberalthought.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/peter-singer-a-case-for-animal-rights/
http://liberalthought.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/peter-singer-a-case-for-animal-rights/
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Robert Garner's Website
"The focus of my principal research interest has been on the political representation of non-human interests, where non-human interests are taken to include those of non-human animals and other non-sentient parts of nature. This is an area of study that fits into the broader subject area of environmental politics."
http://www.le.ac.uk/politics/staff/rwg2.html
http://www.le.ac.uk/politics/staff/rwg2.html
Animal Rights Philosophical Encyclopeida
"What is this encyclopedia about?
This encyclopedia is an introduction to the scope of animal rights. Entries consist of core ideas of moral theories and principles, animal-human problems, ideas and background reading to assimilate quickly and easily. Relevant cross-references are in red. You can read topics in greater detail by looking them up on the Web.
However, do not expect quick and unequivocal answers to problematic questions about animal rights. As Mark Bekoff says:
"For many questions about how animals should be treated by humans there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. However, there are better and worse answers."
Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues. 2006:227.
Six More Books
Animal Philosophy
by Peter Atterton and Matthew Calarco
Animal Philosophy is the first reader to look at the place and treatment of animals in Continental thought. A collection of essential primary and secondary readings on the animal question, it brings together contributions from the following key Continental thinkers: Nietzsche, Heidegger, Bataille, Levinas, Foucault, Deleuze and Guattari, Derrida, Ferry, Cixous, Irigaray. Each reading is followed by commentary and analysis from a leading contemporary thinker. The coverage of the subject is exceptionally broad, ranging across perspectives that include existentialism, poststructuralism, postmodernism, phenomenology and feminism. This anthology is an invaluable one-stop resource for anyone researching, teaching or studying animal ethics and animal rights in the fields of philosophy, cultural studies, literary theory, sociology, environmental studies and gender and women's studies.
by Peter Atterton and Matthew Calarco
Animal Philosophy is the first reader to look at the place and treatment of animals in Continental thought. A collection of essential primary and secondary readings on the animal question, it brings together contributions from the following key Continental thinkers: Nietzsche, Heidegger, Bataille, Levinas, Foucault, Deleuze and Guattari, Derrida, Ferry, Cixous, Irigaray. Each reading is followed by commentary and analysis from a leading contemporary thinker. The coverage of the subject is exceptionally broad, ranging across perspectives that include existentialism, poststructuralism, postmodernism, phenomenology and feminism. This anthology is an invaluable one-stop resource for anyone researching, teaching or studying animal ethics and animal rights in the fields of philosophy, cultural studies, literary theory, sociology, environmental studies and gender and women's studies.
Even More Books
by Catharine Grant
Today animals need protecting more than ever: those bred for laboratories, zoos, and hunting, and also those reared intensively on farms. And out in the wild, animals are losing their habitats to environmental exploitation.
Dispelling the myth that the protection of animals’ rights is a modern, Western concern, this No-Nonsense Guide to Animal Rights explains the key issues, charts the growth of the animal rights movement, and looks at the welfare and protection laws. And it includes a practical day-to-day guide to what individuals can do to minimize exploitation.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Ethical Philosopher Lori Gruen
"I’m a feminist philosopher whose work lies at the intersection of ethical theory and ethical practice, with a particular focus on ethical issues that impact those often overlooked in traditional ethical investigations, e.g. women, people of color, non-human animals."
Lori Gruen teaches Philosophy and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut where she also directs the Ethics in Society project. She has published widely on topics in practical ethics and animal ethics.
Lori Gruen teaches Philosophy and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut where she also directs the Ethics in Society project. She has published widely on topics in practical ethics and animal ethics.
Essays by Marti Kheel
So far, the essays we've presented have been overwhelmingly the work of rationalist male philosophers. To provide some needed balance, here are a bunch of essays by ecofeminist nature ethicist Marti Kheel.
"Vegetarianism and Ecofeminism: Toppling Patriarchy with a Fork." In Food for Thought: The Debate Over Eating Meat, edited by Steve F. Sapontzis, 327–341. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2004. (© 2004 by Steve F. Sapontzis. All rights reserved.) [PDF]
"Vegetarianism and Ecofeminism: Toppling Patriarchy with a Fork." In Food for Thought: The Debate Over Eating Meat, edited by Steve F. Sapontzis, 327–341. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2004. (© 2004 by Steve F. Sapontzis. All rights reserved.) [PDF]
The Animal Liberation Movement by Peter Singer
Once again -- posting does not imply endorsement. Many animal liberationists (including at least some involved in the creation of this site) sharply disagree with the view Singer presents herein on the the value of nonhuman vs. human animal life. This websites seeks to present the diverse views of philosophers on the question of human duties towards nonhuman animals, not to highlight any one position over others.
http://www.utilitarian.org/texts/alm.html
http://www.utilitarian.org/texts/alm.html
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Two Peter Singer Links
Peter Singer's Website
http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/
Utilitarian.net Peter Singer Page
http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/
http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/
Utilitarian.net Peter Singer Page
http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/
Animal Liberation -- from Peter Singer's FAQ
From http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/faq.html
As with much content on this site, posting here does not imply an endorsement of the views expressed.
II. Animal Liberation
Q. I’ve read that you think humans and animals are equal. Do you really believe that a human being is no more valuable than an animal?
A. I argued in the opening chapter of Animal Liberation that humans and animals are equal in the sense that the fact that a being is human does not mean that we should give the interests of that being preference over the similar interests of other beings. That would be speciesism, and wrong for the same reasons that racism and sexism are wrong. Pain is equally bad, if it is felt by a human being or a mouse. We should treat beings as individuals, rather than as members of a species. But that doesn’t mean that all individuals are equally valuable – see my answer to the next question for more details.
As with much content on this site, posting here does not imply an endorsement of the views expressed.
II. Animal Liberation
Q. I’ve read that you think humans and animals are equal. Do you really believe that a human being is no more valuable than an animal?
A. I argued in the opening chapter of Animal Liberation that humans and animals are equal in the sense that the fact that a being is human does not mean that we should give the interests of that being preference over the similar interests of other beings. That would be speciesism, and wrong for the same reasons that racism and sexism are wrong. Pain is equally bad, if it is felt by a human being or a mouse. We should treat beings as individuals, rather than as members of a species. But that doesn’t mean that all individuals are equally valuable – see my answer to the next question for more details.
Our Mission Statement -- A Working Document
Here is a draft of our mission statement, developed by Alice Bruckenstein, based on discussions at our early meetings. It's still a work in progress and feedback is welcome!
The Animal Ethics Reading and Disucssion Group’s mission is to further advance awareness of the philosophical principles underlying the animal liberation movement. We feel there is a critical need for an examination of perceptions motivating humans’ role as co-habitants on Earth with other species. On the one hand, in the last half century there has been an unprecedented rise in animal abuse through the growth in population and technology, resulting in factory farms, vivisection, deforestation and other destructive developments to other species and our own. On the other hand, there has been a growing consciousness of animal abuse, and all manner of organizations have sprung up to defend, protect, liberate, shelter and rehabilitate wild and domesticated animals. This bifurcation in the cognizance of animal-related issues reflects a need for more meaningful societal conversation. We believe that at this point in history, a corpus of knowledge rooted in philosophical tenets would bring the movement forward to the next level.
Draft Mission Statement
The Animal Ethics Reading and Disucssion Group’s mission is to further advance awareness of the philosophical principles underlying the animal liberation movement. We feel there is a critical need for an examination of perceptions motivating humans’ role as co-habitants on Earth with other species. On the one hand, in the last half century there has been an unprecedented rise in animal abuse through the growth in population and technology, resulting in factory farms, vivisection, deforestation and other destructive developments to other species and our own. On the other hand, there has been a growing consciousness of animal abuse, and all manner of organizations have sprung up to defend, protect, liberate, shelter and rehabilitate wild and domesticated animals. This bifurcation in the cognizance of animal-related issues reflects a need for more meaningful societal conversation. We believe that at this point in history, a corpus of knowledge rooted in philosophical tenets would bring the movement forward to the next level.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Three Editions of Angus Taylor's "Animals and Ethics"
Magpies, Monkeys, and Morals : What Philosophers Say About Animal Liberation
by Angus Taylor
To what extent can animals be regarded as part of the moral community? To what extent, if at all, do they have moral rights? Are we wrong to eat them or to hunt them? Is the use of animals for scientific research justified? And can the ideas behind animal liberation be squared with those of the environmental movement?
by Angus Taylor
To what extent can animals be regarded as part of the moral community? To what extent, if at all, do they have moral rights? Are we wrong to eat them or to hunt them? Is the use of animals for scientific research justified? And can the ideas behind animal liberation be squared with those of the environmental movement?
Two More Books
Animal Experimentation: The Moral Issue
by Robert M. Baird (Author, Editor and Stuart E. Rosenbaum (Editor)
YA- Informative and thought-provoking. All sides of the issue from moral philosophy, speciesism, and animal suffering, to proposals for legislation, current medical research, and animal-activist groups are explored. Well-known animal-rights activists are represented, as well as supporters of animal experimentation. Easy to read, well referenced, and well organized. - School Library Journal
by Robert M. Baird (Author, Editor and Stuart E. Rosenbaum (Editor)
YA- Informative and thought-provoking. All sides of the issue from moral philosophy, speciesism, and animal suffering, to proposals for legislation, current medical research, and animal-activist groups are explored. Well-known animal-rights activists are represented, as well as supporters of animal experimentation. Easy to read, well referenced, and well organized. - School Library Journal
Monday, December 20, 2010
Three More Books
Frontiers of Justice: Disability, Nationality, Species Membership (The Tanner Lectures on Human Values) by Martha C. Nussbaum
Theories of social justice are necessarily abstract, reaching beyond the particular and the immediate to the general and the timeless. Yet such theories, addressing the world and its problems, must respond to the real and changing dilemmas of the day. A brilliant work of practical philosophy, Frontiers of Justice is dedicated to this proposition. Taking up three urgent problems of social justice neglected by current theories and thus harder to tackle in practical terms and everyday life, Martha Nussbaum seeks a theory of social justice that can guide us to a richer, more responsive approach to social cooperation.
The idea of the social contract--especially as developed in the work of John Rawls--is one of the most powerful approaches to social justice in the Western tradition. But as Nussbaum demonstrates, even Rawls's theory, suggesting a contract for mutual advantage among approximate equals, cannot address questions of social justice posed by unequal parties. How, for instance, can we extend the equal rights of citizenship--education, health care, political rights and liberties--to those with physical and mental disabilities? How can we extend justice and dignified life conditions to all citizens of the world? And how, finally, can we bring our treatment of nonhuman animals into our notions of social justice? Exploring the limitations of the social contract in these three areas, Nussbaum devises an alternative theory based on the idea of "capabilities." She helps us to think more clearly about the purposes of political cooperation and the nature of political principles--and to look to a future of greater justice for all.
Theories of social justice are necessarily abstract, reaching beyond the particular and the immediate to the general and the timeless. Yet such theories, addressing the world and its problems, must respond to the real and changing dilemmas of the day. A brilliant work of practical philosophy, Frontiers of Justice is dedicated to this proposition. Taking up three urgent problems of social justice neglected by current theories and thus harder to tackle in practical terms and everyday life, Martha Nussbaum seeks a theory of social justice that can guide us to a richer, more responsive approach to social cooperation.
The idea of the social contract--especially as developed in the work of John Rawls--is one of the most powerful approaches to social justice in the Western tradition. But as Nussbaum demonstrates, even Rawls's theory, suggesting a contract for mutual advantage among approximate equals, cannot address questions of social justice posed by unequal parties. How, for instance, can we extend the equal rights of citizenship--education, health care, political rights and liberties--to those with physical and mental disabilities? How can we extend justice and dignified life conditions to all citizens of the world? And how, finally, can we bring our treatment of nonhuman animals into our notions of social justice? Exploring the limitations of the social contract in these three areas, Nussbaum devises an alternative theory based on the idea of "capabilities." She helps us to think more clearly about the purposes of political cooperation and the nature of political principles--and to look to a future of greater justice for all.
Even More Books
Animal Minds and Human Morals: The Origins of the Western Debate (Cornell Studies in Classical Philology-Townsend Lectures , No 54)
by Richard Sorabji
"[Sorabji] starts . . . by examining philosophical treatments of animals in ancient Greece. From there he goes on to current thinking and argues that the animal rights movement is philosophically incoherent. His philosophical analysis is so thorough that anyone who's thinking about these issues has an obligation to read this book."--Vicki Hearne, Lingua Franca
by Richard Sorabji
"[Sorabji] starts . . . by examining philosophical treatments of animals in ancient Greece. From there he goes on to current thinking and argues that the animal rights movement is philosophically incoherent. His philosophical analysis is so thorough that anyone who's thinking about these issues has an obligation to read this book."--Vicki Hearne, Lingua Franca
Friday, December 17, 2010
More Books
Some additions to our book list. As always, books both are included from across the spectrum of the animal liberation debate. Books on animal liberation theology are included along with secular works.
On Their Own Terms: Bringing Animal Rights Philosophy Down to Earth
by Lee Hall
Sensing the need for fresh ideas in advocacy, and the importance of making animal-rights theory relevant in a time of biotechnology, rapid extinctions and climate change, On Their Own Terms: Bringing Animal-Rights Philosophy Down to Earth challenges us to think of ourselves and other conscious beings in new ways. This book takes the creative and necessary step of calling for a merging of ecological awareness and animal advocacy. It asks us to imagine and appreciate the dignity of free communities of animals thriving in their habitats.
On Their Own Terms: Bringing Animal Rights Philosophy Down to Earth
by Lee Hall
Sensing the need for fresh ideas in advocacy, and the importance of making animal-rights theory relevant in a time of biotechnology, rapid extinctions and climate change, On Their Own Terms: Bringing Animal-Rights Philosophy Down to Earth challenges us to think of ourselves and other conscious beings in new ways. This book takes the creative and necessary step of calling for a merging of ecological awareness and animal advocacy. It asks us to imagine and appreciate the dignity of free communities of animals thriving in their habitats.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
On the Side of the Animals (part of our next reading selection)
On the Side of the Animals
by RSPCA
Introduction
This booklet is complementary to the RSPCA leaflet Ethical Concerns for Animals. It is a collection of short essays by contemporary philosophers who take a pro-animal stance and who have helped to bring about more sympathetic attitudes towards animals in Western society. Together, these philosophers have provided an academic basis for the disquiet about animal cruelty which has been growing for at least two centuries.
by RSPCA
Introduction
This booklet is complementary to the RSPCA leaflet Ethical Concerns for Animals. It is a collection of short essays by contemporary philosophers who take a pro-animal stance and who have helped to bring about more sympathetic attitudes towards animals in Western society. Together, these philosophers have provided an academic basis for the disquiet about animal cruelty which has been growing for at least two centuries.
From the Early Days of the World Wide Web...
In the beginning, there was Donald Graft's Animal Rights Resource Site. Before every animal group everywhere had their own website, ARRS was the one central websource for animal rights info. After the cut are the essays from ARRS's Animal Rights Theory and Philosophy Section, courtesy of Archive.org's Wayback Machine:
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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