Animal Rights, Human Wrongs
An Introduction to Moral Philosophy
By (author) Tom Regan North Carolina State University
Publication date:
22 November 2003Length of book:
144 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersDimensions:
229x152mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780742533530
What gives an animal 'rights?' What makes product testing on animals wrong? In Animal Rights, Human Wrongs prominent activist and philosopher Tom Regan skillfully puts forth the argument for animal rights through the exploration of two questions central to moral theory: What makes an act right? What makes an act wrong? Taking into consideration moral theories such as contractarianism, utilitarianism, and Kantian ethics, Regan provides the theoretical framework that grounds a responsible pro-animal rights perspective, and ultimately explores how asking moral questions about other animals can lead to a better understanding of ourselves.
The necessity of making a transition from moral theory to moral practice becomes startlingly clear as Reagan examines the commonplace, everyday choices that would be affected by believing in a moral theory that affirms the rights of animals. For the many people who have ever wondered "what difference does it make if animals have rights," Animal Rights, Humans Wrongs provides a provocative and intriguing answer.
For a discussion of animal rights tailored to a more general audience, see Empty Cages: Facing the Challenge of Animal Rights (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003).
The necessity of making a transition from moral theory to moral practice becomes startlingly clear as Reagan examines the commonplace, everyday choices that would be affected by believing in a moral theory that affirms the rights of animals. For the many people who have ever wondered "what difference does it make if animals have rights," Animal Rights, Humans Wrongs provides a provocative and intriguing answer.
For a discussion of animal rights tailored to a more general audience, see Empty Cages: Facing the Challenge of Animal Rights (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003).
In Animal Rights, Human Wrongs Regan presents the philosophical underpinnings of human rights, then strives to prove that rights should logically be granted to some nonhuman creatures as well. He examines contractualism, utilitarianism, and views of direct and indirect duties, anticipating—and answering—a number of objections. Regan's companion volume Empty Cages (2004) covers similar ground, but with a different emphasis and broader scope. Keeping philosophical argumentation to a minimum, Regan describes animal exploitation and the path to animal advocacy. Empty Cages appeals to the heart. Animal Rights, Human Wrongs appeals to the head, and will be a useful addition to large philosophy or animal rights collections. Recommended.