The narrowing circle

Abstract

This work, which is a large-scale essay exploring the history of morality, argues that the expanding circle of moral concern often obscures the many ways in which the set of beings regarded as deserving moral consideration has actually narrowed. The author examines several historical examples, including the decline of religion and the rise of atheism, the increasing exploitation of animals through factory farming and agriculture, and the treatment of infants and people with disabilities. The author argues that many instances of perceived moral progress are illusory, often based on cherry-picked data or a misunderstanding of the historical context. The author also examines the implications of the expanding circle on the treatment of the dead and future generations. – AI-generated abstract