Speciesism
by Joan Dunayer
37 Members (4.33)
On This Page
Description
Defining speciesism as "a failure, in attitude or practice, to accord any nonhuman being equal consideration and respect," this brilliant work critiques speciesism both outside and within the animal rights movement. The author demonstrates that much of the moral philosophy, legal theory, and animal advocacy aimed at advancing nonhuman emancipation actually perpetuate speciesism. Speciesism examines philosophy, law, and activism in terms of three categories: "old speciesism," "new show more speciesism," and species equality.Old-speciesists limit rights to humans. Speciesism refutes their standard arguments against nonhuman rights. Current law is old-speciesist -- legally, nonhumans have no rights. Dunayer shows that "animal laws" such as the Humane Slaughter Act afford nonhumans no meaningful protection. She also explains why welfarist campaigns are old-speciesist. Instead of opposing the abuse or killing of nonhuman beings, such campaigns seek only to make abuse or killing less cruel; they propose alternative ways of,violating nonhumans' moral rights. Many organizations that consider themselves animal rights advocates engage in old-speciesist campaigns, which reinforce the property status of nonhumans rather than promoting their emancipation.New-speciesists espouse rights for only some nonhumans, those whose minds seem most like those of humans. In addition to devaluing most animals, new-speciesists give greater moral consideration and stronger basic rights to humans than they do to any nonhumans. They see animalkind as a hierarchy, with humans at the top. Dunayer explains why she categorizes such theorists as Peter Singer, Tom Regan, and Steven Wise as new-speciesists.Nonspeciesists advocaterights for every sentient being. Speciesism makes the case that every creature with a nervous system should be regarded as sentient. The book provides compelling evidence of consciousness in animals often dismissed as insentien show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
Member Reviews
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
3 Works 121 Members
Common Knowledge
- Original title
- Speciesism
- Dedication*
- Za sve ne-ljudske životinje
- First words*
- Kad god vidite pticu u kavezu, ribu u posudi ili ne-ljudskog sisavca na lancu, gledate specizam. Ako vjerujete da pčela ili žaba imaju manje prava na život i slobodu negoli čimpanza ili čovjek, ili smatrate da su ljudi s... (show all)uperiorni drugim životinjama, potpisujete specizam. Ako posjećujete vodene zatvore i zoološke vrtove, idete u cirkuse gdje izvode "točke sa životinjama", nosite ne-ljudsku kožu ili dlaku, ili jedete meso, jaja ili proizvode od kravljeg mlijeka, vi primjenjujete specizam. Zagovarate li "humanije" klanje pilića ili manje okrutno zatočivanje svinja, vi održavate specizam. [Str. 29]
- Quotations*
- Eufemizmi dodatno prikrivaju specističko zlostavljanje. [...] Ne uljepšavam vivisekciju nazivajući je "biomedicinskim istraživanjem" niti zatočeništvo u industriji hrane i pokolj ne nazivam "stočarstvom", "peradarstvom... (show all)", "ribogojstvom", "uzgojem plodova mora" i "pčelarstvom". [...] "Akvariji" i "morski parkovi" zatočuju morske životinje, stoga ih zovem vodenim zatvorima (aqua prisons). Neki su prigovorili da 'zatvor' podrazumijeva krivicu, a ne-ljudski zatočenici nisu krivi ni za što.
Politički zatvorenici nisu krivi. Ne-ljudi su politički zatvorenici. Politika koja je na djelu zove se specizam. U pravnom smislu, ne-ljudi su pogrešno zatočeni. [Str. 18-19]
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics and Government
- DDC/MDS
- 179.3 — Philosophy & psychology Ethics Other ethical norms Treatment of animals
- LCC
- HV4708 .D87 — Social sciences Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Protection, assistance and relief Protection of animals. Animal rights. Animal
Statistics
- Members
- 37
- Popularity
- 778,663
- Rating
- (4.33)
- Languages
- English, Italian
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
