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Animals obviously cannot have a right of free speech or a right to vote because they lack the relevant capacities. But their right to life and to be free of exploitation is no less fundamental than the corresponding right of humans, writes Julian H. Franklin. This theoretically rigorous book will reassure the committed, help the uncertain to decide, and arm the polemicist.
Franklin examines all the major arguments for animal rights proposed to date and extends the philosophy in new directions. Animal Rights and Moral Philosophy begins by considering the utilitarian argument of equal respect for animals advocated by Peter Singer and, even more favorably, the rights approach that has been advanced by Tom Regan. Despite their merits, both are found wanting as theoretical foundations for animal rights. Franklin also examines the ecofeminist argument for an ethics of care and several rationalist arguments before concluding that Kant's categorical imperative can be expanded to form a basis for an ethical system that includes all sentient beings. Franklin also discusses compassion as applied to animals, encompassing Albert Schweitzer's ethics of reverence for life. He concludes his analysis by considering conflicts of rights between animals and humans.
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Animal Rights and Moral Philosophy
Animal Rights and Moral Philosophy Julian H. Franklin Columbia University Press • New York
Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 2005 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Franklin, Julian H. Animal rights and moral philosophy / Julian H. Franklin p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–231–13422–3 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 0–231–50871–9 (E-book) 1. Animal rights—Moral and ethical aspects. I. Title. HV4708.F74 179'.3—dc22
2005 2004055121
Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America Designed by Lisa Hamm c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
In memory of Marty Fleisher
But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy. —Plutarch, Moralia, “The Eating of Animal Flesh,” 1.4
Contents
Preface xi Acknowledgments xvii
1 Peter Singer and Utilitarianism 1 2 Regan on Animal Rights 13 3 Animal Rights and Kant 31 4 Animal Rights and Post-Kantian Rationalism 53 5 Animal Rights and Compassion 77
Contents
6 Conflict of Rights and Environmentalism 89 Appendix 1
Animal Consciousness 115 Appendix 2 Biomedical Testing and Use of Animals 125
Notes 129 Bibliography 139 Index 145
x
Preface
My purpose in this book is to rework the theory of animal rights and suggest some new directions. By animal rights I do not mean a utilitarian theory of animal liberation in Peter Singer’s sense. Despite the great debt we owe to Singer for inspiring the modern movement for animal rights, I believe his case for respecting animal interests is theoretically inadequate. Singer’s argument for animal liberation is founded on utilitarianism, which fails as moral philosophy. In the opening chapter of this volume, I shall restate the standard critique of that position, and I shall also try to show that there are several important issues on which Singer cannot give nonhuman animals1 the consideration they deserve. There are of course a number of utilitarians, or theorists influenced by the utilitarian position, who have contributed thoughtful pieces along the lines laid down by Singer. But it is no part of my project in this book to provide a history of doctrines or even to supply an outline of that history in