Animal Rights and the Duty to Harm

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-14-2020

Publication Title

ZEMO

Abstract

An adequate theory of rights ought to forbid the harming of animals (human or nonhuman) to promote trivial interests of humans, as is often done in the animal-user industries. But what should the rights view say about situations in which harming some animals is necessary to prevent intolerable injustices to other animals? I develop an account of respectful treatment on which, under certain conditions, it’s justified to intentionally harm some individuals to prevent serious harm to others. This can be compatible with recognizing the inherent value of the ones who are harmed. My theory has important implications for contemporary moral issues in nonhuman animal ethics, such as the development of cultured meat and animal research.

Keywords

Animal ethics; Deontology; Harming; Rights

Disciplines

Philosophy

Language

English


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