Animals, Men and Morals: An Inquiry Into The Maltreatment of Non-humans

Abstract

This book argues that the exploitation of animals by humans is morally unjustifiable. The authors examine arguments commonly used to justify such exploitation, showing that these arguments are fallacious or based on demonstrably false premises. They argue that the concept of “natural rights” applies to animals as well as humans and that, therefore, humans have a moral obligation to respect the rights of animals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They reject arguments that the different levels of complexity, intelligence, or sentience between humans and animals justify the exploitation of animals. The authors examine a number of social mechanisms by which the exploitation of animals is maintained, such as the insulation of the practices from public scrutiny, the use of euphemisms to disguise their true nature, and the role of mythical thinking. They argue that an authentic moral stance requires us to act consistently with our moral beliefs, to take responsibility for ourselves, and to own our actions. They argue that the use of animals in food production, cosmetics, fashion, and experimentation is morally wrong. They discuss the historical evolution of the concept of “humanity” and the ways in which humans have sought to define the essential differences between themselves and other animals, showing how these distinctions have served to justify the exploitation of animals and often, by extension, the oppression of certain groups of humans. They argue that the concept of intelligence that has been used to justify the exploitation of animals is not only scientifically flawed, but also serves to reinforce a social hierarchy that privileges certain groups of humans over others. The authors conclude by insisting that the continued exploitation of animals is both morally wrong and ultimately detrimental to our own well-being. – AI-generated abstract.