The Animals Issue: Moral Theory in PracticeDo animals have moral rights? In contrast to the philosophical gurus of the animal rights movement, whose opinion has held moral sway in recent years, Peter Carruthers here claims that they do not. He explores a variety of moral theories, arguing that animals lack direct moral significance. This provocative but judiciously argued book will appeal to all those interested in animal rights, whatever their initial standpoint. It will also serve as a lively introduction to ethics, demonstrating why theoretical issues in ethics actually matter. |
Contents
Moral argument and moral theory | 1 |
Utilitarianism and contractualism | 25 |
Utilitarianism and animal suffering | 50 |
Utilitarianism and the harm of killing | 74 |
Contractualism and animals | 98 |
Animals and rational agency | 122 |
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Common terms and phrases
acceptable action animal lovers animal rights animal suffering argue argument Astrid attitudes baby basic behaviour beliefs and desires blindsight Chapter chimpanzees claim CLEVER HANS cognition common-sense belief conscious experience consider consideration of interests contractualist contrast creature death direct moral rights duties towards animals ecology movement equal consideration Ethics example existence explain fact factory farming feel future governing conception harm human innate intelligence intuition intuitionism killing knowledge least lives lower pleasures moral motivation moral rules moral significance moral standing moral theory natural language non-conscious experience objectivism pain person Peter Singer plausible possess present principle of equal question rational agents Rawls reflective equilibrium Regan seems senile sense Singer slippery slope someone sort source of moral species speciesism standing of animals supposed surely sympathy theoretical things thought Tom Regan treatment of animals University Press utilitarian veil of ignorance version of contractualism wrong