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Animal Rights Info Part Two
Alfred C. Snider, University of Vermont
-----------------------
#18 If AR people are so worried about killing, why don't they become
fruitarians?
-----------------------
Killing, per se, is not the central concern of AR philosophy, which is
concerned with the avoidance of unnecessary pain and suffering. Thus, because
plants neither feel pain nor suffer, AR philosophy does not mandate
fruitarianism (a diet in which only fruits are eaten because they can be
harvested without killing the plant from which they issue).
DG
SEE ALSO: #42-#46
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#22 Where should one draw the line: animals, insects, bacteria?
-----------------------
AR philosophy asserts that rights are to be accorded to creatures that
have the capacity to experience pain, to suffer, and to be a "subject of
a life". Such a capacity is definitely not found in bacteria. It is
definitely found in mammals. There is debate about such animals as molluscs
and arthropods (including insects). One should decide, based upon available
evidence and one's own conscience, where the line should be drawn to adhere
to the principle of AR described in the first sentence.
Questions #39 and #43 discuss some of the evidence relevant to drawing
the line.
DG
SEE ALSO: #39, #43
-----------------------
#38 Isn't AR opposed to environmental philosophy (as described, for
example, in "Deep Ecology")?
-----------------------
No. It should be clear from many of the answers included in this FAQ, and
from perusal of many of the books referenced in question #92, that the
philosophy and goals of AR are complementary to the goals of the mainstream
environmental movement. Michael W. Fox sees AR and environmentalism as
two aspects of a dialectic that reconciles concerns for the rights of
individuals (human and nonhuman) with concerns for the integrity of the
biosphere.
Some argue that a morality based on individual rights is necessarily
opposed to one based on holistic environmental views, e.g., the sanctity
of the biosphere. However, an environmental ethic that attributes some
form of rights to all individuals, including inanimate ones, can be
developed. Such an ethic, by showing respect for the individuals that make
up the biosphere, would also show respect for the biosphere as a whole, thus
achieving the aims of holistic environmentalism. It is clear that a rights
view is not necessarily in conflict with a holistic view.
In reference to the concept of deep ecology and the claim that it bears
negatively on AR, Fox believes such claims to be unfounded. The following
text is excerpted from "Inhumane Society", by Michael W. Fox.
DG
Deep ecologists support the philosophy of preserving the natural
abundance and diversity of plants and animals in natural ecosystems...
The deep ecologists should oppose the industrialized, nonsubsistence
exploitation of wildlife because...it is fundamentally unsound ecologically,
because by favoring some species over others, population imbalances and
extinctions of undesired species would be inevitable.
In their book "Deep Ecology", authors Bill Devall and George Sessions...
take to task animal rights philosopher Tom Regan, who with others of like
mind "expressed concern that a holistic ecological ethic...results in a
kind of totalitarianism or ecological fascism"...In an appendix, however,
George Sessions does suggest that philosophers need to work toward
nontotalitarian solutions...and that "in all likelihood, this will require
some kind of holistic ecological ethic in which the integrity of all
individuals (human and nonhuman) is respected".
Ironically, while the authors are so critical of the animal rights
movement, they quote Arne Naess (...arguably the founder of the deep
ecology movement)...For instance, Naess states: "The intuition of
biocentric equality is that all things in the biosphere have an equal
right to live and blossom and to reach their own forms of unfolding and
self-realization..."
Michael W. Fox (Vice President of HSUS)
SEE ALSO: #28, #59
-----------------------
#87 What are the forms of animal rights activism?
-----------------------
Let us first adopt a broad definition of activism as the process
of acting in support of a cause, as opposed to privately lamenting
and bemoaning the current state of affairs. Given that, AR activism
spans a broad spectrum, with relatively simple and innocuous actions
at one end, and difficult and politico-legally charged actions at the
other. Each individual must make a personal decision about where
to reside on the spectrum. For some, forceful or unlawful action is
a moral imperative; others may condemn it, or it may be impractical
(for example, a lawyer may serve animals better through the legislative
process than by going on raids and possibly getting disbarred).
Following is a brief sampling of AR activism, beginning at
the low end of the spectrum.
The spectrum of action can be divided conveniently into four zones:
personal actions, proselytizing, organizing, and civil disobedience.
Consider first personal actions. Here are some of the personal actions
you can take in support of AR:
Learning -- Educate yourself about the issues involved.
Vegetarianism and Veganism -- Become one.
Cruelty-Free Shopping -- Avoid products involve testing on animals.
Cruelty-Free Fashion -- Avoid leather and fur.
Investing with Conscience -- Avoid companies that exploit animals.
Animal-Friendly Habits -- Avoid pesticides, detergents, etc.
The Golden Rule -- Apply it to all creatures and live by it.
Proselytizing is the process of "spreading the word". Here are some of
the ways that it can be done:
Tell your family and friends about your beliefs.
Write letters to lawmakers, newspapers, magazines, etc.
Write books and articles.
Create documentary films and videos.
Perform leafletting and "tabling".
Give lectures at schools and other organizations.
Speak at stockholders' meetings.
Join Animal Review Committees that oversee research on animals.
Picket, boycott, demonstrate, and protest.
Organizing is a form of meta-proselytizing--helping others to spread
the word. Here are some of the ways to do it:
Join an AR-related organization.
Contribute time and money to an AR-related organization.
Found an AR organization.
Get involved in politics or law and act directly for AR.
The last category of action, civil disobedience, is the most
contentious and the remaining questions in this section deal further
with it. Some draw the line here; others do not. It is a personal
decision. Here are some of the methods used to more forcefully assert
the rights of animals:
Sit-ins and occupations.
Obstruction and harassment of people in their animal-exploitation
activities (e.g., foxhunt sabotage). The idea is to make it more
difficult and/or embarrassing for people to continue these
activities.
Spying and infiltration of animal-exploitation industries and
organizations. The information and evidence gathered can be
a powerful weapon for AR activists.
Destruction of property related to exploitation and abuse of
animals (laboratory equipment, meat and clothes in stores, etc.).
The idea is to make it more costly and less profitable for these
animal industries.
Sabotage of the animal-exploitation industries (e.g., destruction
of vehicles and buildings). The idea is to make the activities
impossible.
Raids on premises associated with animal exploitation (to gather
evidence, to sabotage, to liberate animals).
It can be seen from the foregoing material that AR activism spans a
wide range of activities that includes both actions that would be
conventionally regarded as law-abiding and non-threatening, and actions
that are unlawful and threatening to the animal-exploitation industries.
Most AR activism falls into the former category and, indeed, one can
support these actions while condemning the latter category of actions.
People who are thinking, with some trepidation, of going for the first
time to a meeting of an AR group need have no fear of finding themselves
involved with extremists, or of being coerced into extreme activism.
They would find a group of exceedingly law-abiding computer programmers,
teachers, artists, etc. (The extreme activists are essentially unorganized
and cannot afford to meet in public groups due to the unwelcome attention
of law-enforcement agencies.)
DG
One person can make all the difference in the world...For the first time in
recorded human history, we have the fate of the whole planet in our hands.
Chrissie Hynde (musician)
This is the true joy in life; being used for a purpose recognized by
yourself as a mighty one, and being a force of nature instead of a
feverish, selfish little clod.
George Bernard Shaw (playwright, Nobel 1925)
Nothing is more powerful than an individual acting out of his
conscience, thus helping to bring the collective conscience to life.
Norman Cousins (author)
SEE ALSO: #5, #88-#93, #95
-----------------------
#92 What are appropriate books and periodicals to read for more
information on AR issues?
-----------------------
There are hundreds of books that could be recommended. We provide only
a sampling of books and periodicals below. Please refer to question #94
for further book references and reviews. Space limitations forced us to
avoid children's books. Refer to the guide books listed for full
bibliographies.
TA/DG/JLS/AECW
Animal Production and Factory Farming
-------------------------------------
"Animal Factories", Jim Mason and Peter Singer, AAVS, 801 Old York Rd,
Suite 204, Jenkintown, PA 19046-1685, $12.95. Facts and photos on farms
that mass produce animals for meat, milk, and eggs. [1980, 1990]
"Factory Farming: The Experiment That Failed", Animal Welfare Institute,
P.O. Box 3650, Washington, DC 20007. Fact-packed indictment of
factory-farming on welfare and economic grounds. [1988]
"Waste of the West: Public Lands Ranching", Lynn Jacobs, P.O. Box 5784,
Tucson, AZ 85703.
"Do Hens Suffer in Battery Cages?", Michael Appleby, The Athene Trust,
5a Charles St, Petersfield, Hants GU32 3EH. Scientific evidence of
hen suffering. [1991]
"Alternative to Factory Farming", Paul Carnell, Earth Resources Research
Publishers, London. Factory farming challenged on economic grounds.
[1983]
"Chicken and Egg: Who pays the price?", Clare Druce, Green Print Publishers,
London. A criticism of the poultry industry. [1989]
"Taking Stock: Animal Farming and The Environment", Alan Durning and
Holly Brough, Worldwatch Paper 103, WorldWatch Institute,
1776 Mass. Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20036-1904. The environmental
cost of animal farming. [1991]
"Assault and Battery", Mark Gold, Pluton Publishers, London. Effects of
farming on animals, humans and the environment. [1983]
"Animal Machines", Ruth Harrison, Vincent Stuart Publishers, London.
The first book on factory farming. [1964]
"Facts about Furs", G. Nilsson, et. al., Animal Welfare Institute,
(op. cit.). On fur-farming and trapping. [1980]
"Pulling the Wool", Christine Townend, Hale and Ironmonger Publishers,
Sydney, Australia. The Australian wool and sheep industry. [1985]
Animal Rights History
---------------------
"All Heaven in a Rage", E. S. Turner. Provides a history of the animal
protection movement up to the 1960's. [1964]
"Animal Warfare", David Henshaw, Fontana Publishers, London. The rise of
direct action for Animal Rights. [1984]
"History of the Humane Movement", Charles D. Niven, Johnson Publishers,
London. From antiquity to today. [1967]
"Animal Revolution", Richard Ryder, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford. Overview
of the history of AW and AR movements. [1985]
"The Animal Liberation Movement: Its Philosophy, Its Achievements and Its
Future", Peter Singer, Old Hammond Press Publishers, Nottingham, [1986]
"Man and the Natural World", Keith Thomas, Penguin, London. History from
1500 AD to 1800 AD. [1991]
Animal Rights Legislation
-------------------------
"Animals and their Legal Rights", The Animal Welfare Institute, Washington
D.C. [1990]
"Animal Rights, Human Wrongs", S. Jenkins, Lennard Publishings, Harpenden,
UK. An RSPCA officer's experiences demonstrate the lack of adequate
animal legislation. [1992]
"Up against the Law", J. J. Roberts, Arc Print, London. 1986 Public Order
Act and its implications for Animal Rights protests. [1987]
"Animals and Cruelty and Law", Noel Sweeney, Alibi, Bristol UK. A practicing
barrister argues for Animal Rights from the legal standpoint. [1990]
Animal Rights Philosophy
------------------------
"The Case for Animal Rights", Tom Regan, University of California Press.
[1983]
"The Struggle for Animal Rights", Tom Regan, International Society for
Animal Rights, Inc., Clarks Summit, PA. [1987]
"Animal Liberation", Peter Singer, PETA Merchandise, P.O. Box 42400,
Washington, D.C. 20015, $3.00 post-paid. The book that popularized
Animal Rights. [1975, 1990]
"In Defense of Animals", Peter Singer.
"Animals' Rights", Henry Salt, AAVS (op. cit.), $6.95. Written a century
ago, a true classic, anticipates many of today's arguments.
"No Room, Save in the Heart: Poetry and Prose on Reverence for
Life--Animals, Nature and Humankind", Ann Cottrell Free, AAVS
(op. cit.), $8.95.
"The Unheeded Cry: Animal Consciousness, Animal Pain and Science", Bernard
Rollin. [1989]
"Created from Animals: The Moral Implications of Darwinism", James Rachels.
[1990]
"Morals, Reason and Animals, Steve Sapontzis. [1987]
"Political Theory and Animal Rights", Clarke and Lindzey (Eds.). This book
provides interesting excepts from thinkers since Plato to Regan on the
issue of our relations and duties towards animals. [1990]
"The Nature of the Beast: Are Animals Moral?", Stephen Clark.
"Animals, Men and Morals", Godlovitch et. al. [1971]
"Fettered Kingdoms", John Bryant, Fox Press Publishers, Winchester.
Includes a well-known indictment of pet keeping. [1990]
"The Moral Status of Animals", Stephen Clark, Oxford University Press
Publishers, Oxford. The roots of humans' treatment of animals in
sentimental fantasy. [1977]
"The Savour of Salt--A Henry Salt Anthology", G. and W. Hendrick,
Centaur Press Publishers, Fontwell. [1989]
"Animals and Why They Matter: A Journey Around the Species Barrier",
Mary Midgley, Penguin Publishers, London. [1983]
"Beast and Man", Mary Midgley, Harvester Press Publishers, Brighton. [1979]
"Animal Rights--A Symposium", David Paterson and Richard Ryder,
Centaur Press Publishers, Fontwell. [1979]
"Inhumane Society: The American Way of Exploiting Animals", Michael W.
Fox, St. Martins Press, New York. [1990]
"The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory",
Carol J. Adams. [1990]
"Rape of the Wild: Man's Violence against Animals and the Earth", Andree
Collard with Joyce Contrucci. [1989]
"The Dreaded Comparison: Human and Animal Slavery", Marjorie Spiegel,
Mirror Books, NY. [1988]
Animal Rights Theology
----------------------
"Christianity and the Rights of Animals", Andrew Linzey, Crossroad,
New York. [1987]
"Animal Sacrifices -- Religious Perspectives on the Use of Animals in
Science", Tom Regan (Ed.), Temple University Press, PA. [1986]
Circuses, Rodeos, and Zoos
--------------------------
"The Rose-Tinted Menagerie", William Johnson, PETA (op. cit.), $16.50.
Describes behind-the-scenes action in circuses, aquariums, and zoos.
"Animals in Circuses and Zoos--Chiron's World?", Marthe Kiley-Worthington,
Little Eco Farms Publishing, Basildon, UK. Investigation into the
treatment of animals by zoos and circuses. [1990]
"The Last Great Wild Beast Show", Bill Jordan and Stefan Ormrod,
Constable Publishers, London. How animals are snatched from the
wild to be shipped to zoos worldwide. [1978]
"Beyond the Bars", Virginia McKenna, William Travers, Jonathan Wray (eds.),
Thorsons Publishers, Wellingborough, UK. The immorality of animal
captivity. [1987]
Diet Ethics
-----------
"Diet for a New America", John Robbins, PETA (op. cit.),
$12.50 post-paid. Examines problems with animal-based food systems
with solutions, info on the link between diet and disease.
"Compassion: The Ultimate Ethic", V. Moran, American Vegan Society, NJ,
USA. Exploration of veganism: its roots in eastern and western
philosophy. [1991]
"Food: Need, Greed and Myopia", G. Yates, Earthright, Ryton UK. World food
problem seen from a vegetarian/vegan standpoint. [1986]
"Radical Vegetarianism", Mark Braunstein, Panjandrum Books, Los Angeles.
[1983]
Guides, Handbooks, and Reference
--------------------------------
"Save the Animals! 101 Easy Things You Can Do", Ingrid Newkirk, PETA
(op. cit.), $4.95.
"67 Ways to Save the Animals", Anna Sequoia, Harper Perennial, $4.95.
[1990]
"The Animal Rights Handbook -- Everyday Ways to Save Animal Lives",
Berkley Books, New York, $4.50. [1993]
"PETA's Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers", PETA (op. cit.), $4.95.
A must have! Lists names and addresses of cruelty-free companies.
"Keyguide to Information Sources in Animal Rights", Charles R.Magel,
AAVS (op. cit.), $24.95.
"A Shopper's Guide to Cruelty-Free Products", Lori Cook, Bantam Books,
New York, $4.99. [1991]
"Animal Rights: A Beginner's Guide", Amy Achor, Writeware Inc., Yellow
Springs, OH, $14.95. [1992]
"The PETA Guide to Action for Animals", PETA (op. cit.), $4.00.
"The Extended Circle: A Commonplace Book of Animal Rights", Wynne-Tyson
(Ed.). Provides hundreds of quotes and short excepts from thinkers
throughout history. [1989]
"The Animal-Free Shopper", R. Farhall, R. Lucas, and A. Rofe A. (Eds.),
The Vegan Society, 7 Battle Road, St. Leonards on Sea, East Sussex,
TN37 7AA, UK. [1991]
"The Animal Welfare Handbook", C. Clough and B. Kew, 4th Estate,
London, UK [1993]
Laboratory Animals and Product Testing
--------------------------------------
"Vivisection and Dissection in the Classroom: A Guide to Conscientious
Objection", Gary L. Francione and Anna E. Charlton, AAVS (op. cit.),
$7.95. Legal citings, sample pleadings, and letters.
"Animals in Education: The Facts, Issues and Implications", Lisa Ann Hepner,
Richmond Publishers, Albuquerque NM. [1994]
"Entering the Gates of Hell: Laboratory Cruelty You Were Not Meant to
See", Brian Gunn, AAVS (op. cit.), $10.00.
"Animal Experimentation: The Consensus Changes", Gill Langley (Ed.),
MacMillan Publishers, London. Collection of essays outlining the
change in morality. [1991]
"Slaughter of the Innocent", Hans Ruesch, Civitas Publications, Swaine,
NY. [1983]
"Naked Empress: The Great Medical Fraud", Hans Ruesch, CIVIS, Klosters,
Switzerland. Why vivisection is a major cause of human disease. [1982]
"Victims of Science: The Use of Animals in Research", Richard Ryder,
National Anti-Vivisection Society, Centaur Press Publishers, Fontwell.
Classic denunciation of vivisection. [1983]
"The Cruel Deception: The Use of Animals in Medical Research", Robert
Sharpe, Thorsons Publishers, Wellingborough, UK. Detailed study of
the barbarity and uselessness of vivisection. [1989]
"Free the Animals!", Ingrid Newkirk, PETA (op. cit.), $14.00.
Story of the Animal Liberation Front in America.
Periodicals
-----------
"Animals Magazine", 350 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.
"The Animals' Agenda", P.O. Box 6809, Syracuse, NY 13217-9953.
"Animal People", P.O. Box 205, Shushan, NY 12873.
"The Animals' Voice", P.O. Box 341-347, Los Angeles, CA 90034.
"Between the Species", P.O. Box 254, Berkeley, CA 94701.
"Bunny Hugger's Gazette", P.O. Box 601, Temple, TX 76503-0601.
Wildife
-------
"The Politics of Extinction", L. Regenstein, Collier-Macmillan, London.
Classic denunciation of the wildlife carnage. [1975]
"Wildlife and the Atom", L. Veal, London Greenpeace, 5 Caledonian Road,
London N1 9DX, UK. The use of animals by the nuclear industry. [1983]
SEE ALSO: #1, #94
-----------------------
#94 Can you give a brief Who's Who of the AR movement?
-----------------------
TOM REGAN -- Professor of Philosophy at North Carolina State University.
His book "The Case For Animal Rights" is arguably the single best recent
work on animal rights. It is a demanding text but one that is well worth
the effort to read and study carefully. Everybody that is seriously
interested in the issues should read this rigorously argued case for AR.
It starts with some core concepts of inherent value theory, the same
concepts that played an important and significant role in the progress of
human civil liberties since the 17th century and which began to be
extended to nonhumans during the 19th century. The notion of inherent
value continues to be vital and important for progress in both human and
animal rights. A less demanding but still informative book by Regan is
"The Struggle for Animal Rights". One might wish to first read this book
before tackling Regan's more difficult text.
PETER SINGER -- Professor of Philosophy at Monash University, Melbourne.
Singer is best known for his book "Animal Liberation", probably the most
widely read book on AR philosophy. Singer, unlike Regan, is not an
abolitionist as many people incorrectly surmise. His utilitarian position
allows for the possibility or necessity of killing animals under certain
circumstances. What is often lost sight of is that the obvious and patent
abuses of animals covers so much ground that both Regan and Singer share
common views on far more issues than those on which they differ. Other
important books by Singer include "In Defense of Animals" and "Animal
Factories".
MARY MIDGLEY -- Senior Lecturer of Philosophy at the University of
Newcastle.
Midgley's book "Beast and Man" has not been given the attention that it
deserves. She deals with the contemporary facts of biology and ethology
head-on to provide an ethical argument for the respectful treatment of
animals that takes seriously scientific discoveries and thoughts about
animals. The "Humean fork" (or so-called logical divide) between facts and
values is here carefully crossed by observing that we are foremost
"animals" ourselves and that the similarities between ourselves and other
animals is more important and relevant for our ethics and
self-understanding than are the often over-inflated differences.
CAROL ADAMS -- Author.
Adams' book "The Sexual Politics of Meat" has made a valuable contribution
in combining cultural and ethical analysis by pointing out the political
implications of the metaphors we unthinkingly employ. The primary
metaphors she analyses in her book relate to meat. Such metaphors have
been applied to women, but the most insidious aspect of the metaphors is
the way that they hide the life that is killed to produce meat. Instead of
"cow", we have "beef" on our plates. Adams argues that the system that
kills animals is the same system that oppresses women; hence, there is an
important and striking connection between vegetarianism and feminism.
RICHARD RYDER -- Senior Clinical Psychologist at Warneford Hospital,
Oxford.
Ryder is the originator of the key term "speciesism". Ryder's book
"Animal Revolution" provides both an historical perspective and a
critical analysis of animal welfare and attitudes towards animals.
HENRY SALT -- 1851-1939.
Salt was a remarkable social reformer who championed the humane reform of
schools, prisons, society, and our treatment of animals. He also exerted a
critical and important influence upon Gandhi. His book "Animals' Rights"
was the first to use that title and therein he gives voice to almost all
of the essential arguments for AR that we see being advanced and refined
today. The book provides an excellent biography of earlier European
writers on animal issues during the 18th and 19th centuries.
VICTORIA MORAN -- Author.
Moran's book "Compassion the Ultimate Ethic" makes a fine contribution
regarding the less discursive but perhaps more fundamental intuitive basis
for animal rights.
MARJORIE SPIEGEL -- Author.
Spiegel's book "The Dreaded Comparison" is a slim but courageous volume
comparing the treatment of African-American slaves and the treatment of
nonhuman animals. In text and pictures, Spiegel discloses remarkable
similarities between the two systems. A picture of slaves packed into
a slave ship is matched with a photograph of battery hens. A picture
of a woman in a muzzle is paired with a picture of a dog in a muzzle.
The parallels are striking and revealing. Few other writers have been
as open or as unequivocal as Spiegel in likening cruelty to animals to
traffic in human beings.
TA
It is hard to keep a Who's-Who list at a reasonable length. Here are
a few other prominent people:
STEPHEN R. L. CLARK -- Professor of Philosophy at Liverpool University.
MICHAEL W. FOX -- Vice President of Humane Society of the US, nationally
known veterinarian, and AR activist.
RONNIE LEE -- Founder of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF).
JIM MASON -- Attorney and journalist.
INGRID NEWKIRK -- Co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA); prominent activist.
ALEX PACHECO -- Co-founder of PETA; exposer of the Silver Spring monkeys
abuses.
"VALERIE" -- Founder of ALF in the United States.
DG
Alfred C. Snider AKA Tuna
Edwin W. Lawrence Professor of Forensics, University of Vermont
Mail: Box 54225, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405-4225
Phone: 802-656-0097, Fax: 802-656-4275
+++++
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