Animal Rights: A Humanist Perspective

Paper Summary:

This paper briefly looks at the evolution of the Western world's views on the treatment of animals and how the lack of a agreement on what an animal precisely is causes difficulties in addressing the issue of animal rights. It goes on to present a debate on the issue of animal rights through three different perspectives: ethical relativism, utilitarianism, and ethical egoism.

Sentient Rights in a Solitary World
The Essential Problem of the Definitions
Framework of the Debate within this Context
Taking A Position -- Modified Personal Responsibility
Ethical Traditions Within The Framework
Summary

From the Paper:

"In recent years, the ethical issue of animal rights has seriously entered into the realm of philosophical debate. This in itself shows a change in perspective, for until relatively recently the issue was not even seriously broached by philosophers, save maybe in sport or to highlight the absurdity of a line of reasoning. However, increasingly within modern philosophy, the issue may be broached. While one would think that the demands of such philosophies as egoism and utilitarianism would subjugate the position of animals, it seems historically that the reverse has somewhat been true. The question then becomes, within a humanistic mind-set, what potential exists for a healthy construct of the rights of animals? The answer lies in comprehending the individual focus of these philosophies, and treating this issue not as one of social or legal mandate, but as one of personal cognizance."

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