Defending Animal Rights

Book Description

Tom Regan, universally recognized as the intellectual leader of the animal rights movement, presents a historically important, multifaceted discussion of some responses to the question, "Do animals have rights?"

More than a contest of wills representing professional and economic interests, the animal rights debate is also a divisive, enduring topic in normative ethical theory. Addressing key issues in this sometimes acrimonious debate, Regan responds thoughtfully to his critics while dismantling the conception that "all and only" human beings are worthy of the moral status that is the basis of rights.

In a set of essays that reflects his thinking on animal and human rights over the past decade, Regan sketches the philosophical positions espoused by those who want to abolish animal exploitation, reform it to minimize suffering, or maintain the status quo. He considers the moral grounds for limiting human freedom when it comes to human interactions with nonhuman animals. He puts the issue of animal rights in historical context, drawing parallels between animal rights activism and other social movements, including the antislavery movement in the nineteenth century and the gay-lesbian struggle today. He also outlines the challenges to animal rights posed by deep ecology and ecofeminism to using animals for human purposes and addresses the ethical dilemma of the animal rights advocate whose employer uses animals for research.

Systematically unraveling claims that human beings are rational and therefore entitled to superior moral status, Regan defends the inherent value of all individuals who are "subjects of a life" and decries the speciesism that pretends to separate human from nonhuman animals. Independent of any benefits humans might derive from exploiting animals, Regan shows how, on a philosophical level, there is no sustainable defense for separating human and nonhuman animals as beings of absolute, as opposed to instrumental, value.

Customer Reviews:

Review: Defending Animal Rights.......2003-05-08

Defending Animal Rights is a written response to the criticisms of Tom Regan's previous writings and speeches. Regan carefully outlines some of the main arguments against him and the animal rights movement.
Starting with an explanation of historically significant philosophies and their importance to the moral issues raised in the field of animal ethics, Regan displays the foundation for his, as well as other influential philisophers' arguments. He explains the importance of the ideas of direct and indirect duties, perfectionism, traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs, Contractarianism, Kantianism, Utilitarianism, The Rights View, deep ecology, and ecofeminism. Of these moral positions the Utilitarian and the Rights View have provided the clearest stand on the issue of animal rights.
Regan recognizes that in today's debate of these issues the animal rights movement has been condemned in different ways by different groups of people. The main concern of this book is to thoroughly answer these criticisms. Regan states, "My major interest on this occasion is not to defend the movement against false charges but to clarify certain ideas." (p.30) Building off of this statement he displays a humble approach to his critcs.
In clarifying the ideas of the movement, Regan explains his form of Kantiant ethics. This view, in which he includes not just humans, but beings he defines as being "subject to a life" (beings who possess "sensory, cognitive, conative, and volitional capacities" (p.42)), embodies the main basis of his position:

"Harms intentionally done to any one subject cannot be justified by aggregating benefits derived by others. In this respect my position is antiutilitarian, a theory in the Kantian, not the Millian, tradition. Nonetheless, my position parts company with Kant's when it comes to specifying who should be treated with respect. For Kant, only rational, autonomous persons are ends in themselves...whereas on my position all subjects to a life, including all those nonhuman animals who qualify, have equal inherent value." (p.43)

In the above section, Regan's basic position is clearly stated. It is from this point on that the critiques against him become specific. He divides his critics into two major categories. The first being the intramoral, which include Jan Narveson, who critiques Regan for weighing moral intuition too high when discussing inherent value, and not relying on standard moral principles. Regan replies that Narveson's critique is inaccurate. Regan states that when all principles have been considered and weighted against each other two possible outcomes might occur. Thus, the issue of intuition becomes critical. He adds that it is important to be aware of the fact that we can never know if there is only one right theory of morals. The second category of critics is the intermoral. The critics in this category argue against Regan's theory of individual moral rights, stating that there are fundamental flaws in the individual way of perceiving the world. The critics argue that this fundamental view originates in a Western, male dominated, white society filled with prejudice against different groups. Regan replies by saying that although it was men who came up with the concept of individual morals we can't conclude that the idea itself is incorrect. He also states that just because ideas have been previously used in a certain fashion doesn't make the ideas inapplicable in the future. His final reply is that reason and emotion need to balance each other. Emotions in terms of considerations of a group don't need to be excluded in a world focusing on rationality and individuality.
One of the critics that Regan particularly focuses on is Carl Cohen. Cohen's critique is based on a fundamental belief that animals do not have moral rights. He says that all individuals have basic rights and that those rights prevent anyone from using the individual in order to advance the interest of the user. That animals should be included in such a framework, Cohen argues, is a mistake. He argues that non-human animals such as mammals and birds have the ability to reason, but argues that they "are not morally responsible for their actions." (p.73) Cohen bases his arguments on historically great moral philosophers that had contradictory thoughts about many issues but united when it came to the fact that humans were morally unique creatures. Cohen also emphasizes his belief that humans have indirect and direct duties to humans, but differentiates between duties to act humanely and the concept of inherent moral worth. Regan agrees with Cohen on this point, but goes on to explain that Cohen is inconsistent in his argument. Regan suggests that Cohen's argument against rights automatically becomes an argument against duties, which is contradictory to Cohen's stand.
This book attempts to elucidate some of the concerns raised in the animal rights debate as well as Regan's own position. Through responding to criticism, Regan outlines his basic arguments in a way that helps justify his position. There are issues still unsolved in this debate, which he recognizes. There are also issues that Regan consciously decided to exclude from the book. Some of these concerns might have been appropriate to address. What Regan could have focused less on are the last two chapters of the book, which addresses issues of personal integrity as well as the field of moral philosophy. These two chapters are sufficient in some aspects, but also put the author in an artificially produced light trying to make him look like a victim of unfairness. It might be an important issue to integrate into a larger picture, but can easily loose its power when being discussed separately. It places the issue as one of defending Tom Regan instead of defending the rights of animals.
In conclusion, this book is a serious attempt by Regan to justify his ethical philosophy about animal rights. Replying to some of the criticisms he has faced throughout his years as a writer on animal rights, he clarifies his ethical stance and allows for a deeper and more serious discussion in this field.

Interesting, generally well written, profoundly wrong.......2002-02-20

Regan has followed his seminal work, "The case for animal rights" by more than 15 years with "Defending animal rights". The book is well written and continues his arguments against all forms of animal use towards human ends (no more experimentation, farming or clothing from animals). As he has stated previously, his aim is not larger cages but empty cages. His is a radical abolitionist position.

To make this bold claim Regan must force animals onto the same ground as humans, he must present a morally demanding equivalence between humans and animals. This ought to immediately raise eyebrows, if not hackles, most of us believe that humans are more morally valuable than animals and we do not take kindly to the equivalence of people with pigs, monkeys, rats and so forth. To make the case, Regan argues that animals are, like us, "subjects of a life" with feelings, desires, needs, etc., who can experience pain and happiness. Being "subjects of a life" in this manner, animals have an inherent value that we are duty bound to protect.

It is not easy to define the essence of humanity but I doubt a mish mash of wants, needs, feelings, whatever, captures what it means to be human. Even taking Regan's contention at face value, it is legitimate to wonder how comparable humans and animals really are. Animals lack agency, the ability to change their world for the betterment of themselves and future generations. This ability sets us far apart from the animal world, which has remained static for millennia, while our world has provided incessant cultural growth and technological advance.

To dodge the obvious gulf between animals and us Regan uses those unfortunate members of humanity who are mentally incapacitated to the point where their abilities and senses may be comparable to animals. (Regan does not actually need to use the disabled in this way. Someone who is technically dead, alive only via a respirator with no brain function whatsoever is treated "better" than an animal used and killed for some experimental purposes.) Such unfortunate humans are not treated as a means to an end in the way that animals are. Regan suggests this is a double standard and calls us on it.

Again, however, the gulf between humans and animals comes into play, even in death. When a human being is lost the loss is felt at a social and individual level. The potential that the human being represented to be productive, insightful and to provide a contribution passes with death and we mourn that loss. The loss is, of course, particularly acute for family and close friends who would have had first-hand experience of the actuality of the personýs existence and hopes and aspirations for the potential of the deceased. We do violence to the value a human being represented or could have represented if we treat a human instrumentally, even in death.

In contrast, animals never have any potential to do anything greater than their ancestors and direct contemporaries. Animals are not individual because while they may have distinct characteristics they lack the capacity to develop themselves and transform their existence. Animals are also not social because while they may live within groups, they lack the capacity to transform that groupýs behavior and they cannot take collective decisions within the group. In this sense, the value of animals is fixed such that it is always comparable to any other animal currently living, dead or projected into the future. When an animal dies, unless we have some particular association with the animal such as a pet, we do not mourn the passing because there is nothing to mourn. Animals never have the value that humans retain even when deceased unless we provide some value through a human relation.

Regan pushes the argument for animal rights as far as it will go but although animal rights can appear as a possibility it is really illusory. Animals lack agency such that they will never demand their own rights. This unbridgeable gulf places humans and animals into separate moral spheres with humanity taking the higher platform. Regan fails or refuses to see this but, thankfully, there are not many quite as blind as he.

But he takes their money.......2002-02-14

Mr. Regan criticizes his University employer for conducting experiments on animals, but continues under this employment and
enjoys the economic gains afforded the University by this
experimentation.

a brilliant collection of essays.......2001-10-18

In this collection of superbly-written and argued essays, Tom Regan, the leading defender of the moral rights of animals, restates and refines his main arguments that animals, like humans, have the right to be treated with respect and so not used by humans for food, clothing, experimental subjects, or entertainment.

His arguments are strong and simple: if humans have rights (and lets suppose they do), why is this so? What is it about humans that makes them have rights, that makes it wrong to kill them for food, entertainment, etc.? It is very difficult to find plausible answers to those questions that do not imply that animals do not have rights as well. Clearly Regan's critics have not.

Those who challenge the status quo with respect to humanity's treatment of animals will find Regan's essays clear, carefully argued, and revealing of his great insight into moral philosophy and the moral life. Defenders of the status quo--those who think that, by and large, society's treatment of animals is perfectly fine--have their difficult work cut out for them to reveal exactly where Regan's arguments have gone wrong.

They need to explain exactly why, although it's wrong to kill and eat, hunt down, experiment on, or wear non-rational humans (e.g., infants, severly mentally challenged, anecephalics, the brain dead, etc.), it is perfectly OK to do these things to animals who have more advanced mental capacities and the same capacity to suffer.

This is a very difficult challenge. Regan responds to some (although, unfortunately probably not the best) of his critics on these points and shows that their criticisms either just *assume* that animals don't have rights and/or are riddled with argumentative and logical blunders. Regan's critics are advised to take (or re-take) a logic course and learn what it is to "beg the question" and commit the "fallacy of irrelevance" before forming a new attack on Regan's arguments.

Not all of Regan's essays are focused on ethics and animals. One essay, "Ivory Towers Should Not A Prison Make," concerns the challenges (and rewards) that academics, especially philosophers, face when publicly advocating for social change. Politically or socially-active academics will find this essay to reveal great wisdom and insight.

Regan also adopt the role of historian and documents that the objections raised in religious and scientific communities to abolishing slavery and for increasing rights for women, minorities, and homosexuals are very similar to the objections currently raised against the notion of animals having rights. Regan shows that the "Patterns of Resistance" to fair and respectful treatment have been similar in all these "liberation" movements.

There is much in these essays of great wisdom and, often, beauty. They will appeal both to readers who already have an interest in ethics and animals and the animal rights movement. They will also appeal to those who do not have this interest or background, but, hopefully--after reading these essays (and others like them)--soon will.

Not what I wanted.......2001-03-03

Regan's "The Case for Animal Rights" is pretty strong stuff, and I was hoping this would be a structured defense of objections to that text. This book has some defense in it, but I was looking for something more encompassing and systematic. The book is comprised of several shorter pieces.

Book Description

Are you ready to coach the Cubs to a championship victory? How about a little league or T-ball championship? Not ready for either one? We can help! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Baseball is a beginning youth baseball coach's ultimate reference guide. Your practice time is probably already limited, so don't waste it trying to figure out what to do. Plan ahead with our easy-to-follow chapters that cover: identifying your roles and expectations as a coach, tailoring instruction to your age group, creating a safe playing environment, knowing how to coach effectively during games, celebrating victories and much more. Our book web page will be a coaching resource as well, with downloadable practice plans, emergency information cards, injury reports, awards and certificates, and season evaluation forms. Go into day 1 as if its day 1001 of your coaching career with the help of Absolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Baseball.

Customer Reviews:

Great starter guide for the clueless!.......2007-04-22

This book was exactly what I needed as a first time coach - with zero experience. It is an easy read with numerous photos of little leaguers performing the actions described. It not only covers the basic rules and offensive and defensive tactics, but goes into the psychology of what makes a positive coaching experience for both the coach, kids and parents. Most helpful were the numerous examples of drills for practices. Kids get bored and distracted easily and this book gives you numerous tips on keeping them focused on learning the game and still having fun.

Nice .......2005-08-04

Great book. Help guide our youth to play the game better. Will use as a reference many times in the future.

Book Description

As society becomes more international in nature, knowing a few words in other languages has become more useful. Perhaps you travel frequently abroad, or your business requires you to travel overseas. Perhaps you have friends and neighbors who speak other languages, or you want to find out more about your heritage by learning a little bit of the language your ancestors spoke.

Whatever your reason for wanting to learn some Italian, Italian For Dummies is the right book for you. Written in partnership with Berlitz – experts in helping people learn foreign languages – this book gives you the skills you need for basic communication in Italian, and it will get you well on your way to becoming fluent. Just think what you're family and friends will think when you order off the menu at your favorite Italian restaurant!

Italian For Dummies covers not only ordering at an Italian restaurant, but also these topics:

Basic spelling, grammar, and numbers
Meeting and greeting, and making small talk
Shopping, shopping, and even more shopping
Going out on the town
Business situations
Traveling, checking into a hotel, and planning a trip
Handling emergencies
Top Ten lists with advice on how to pick up Italian quickly, things you should never say in Italian, and favorite Italian expressions

The best thing about this book is that you can learn at your own pace; for example, if you're planning a trip to Italy next year, sit down once or twice a week with this book and go through the chapters that you'll think you need for your trip. That's a lot easier than dragging yourself to a class twice a week – not to mention a lot more fun, too!

Customer Reviews:

Not for dummies!.......2007-05-07

Learning a language is difficult, at least for me, and I was disappointed with this book. Yes, it does provide a lot of information, but it is not presented in a way that makes learning the language any easier, fun or engaging. And, since I enjoy learning Italian, I've tried several types of programs. I use this book more as a reference tool. Can't imagine ever learning the language from scratch with it! Clearly not for dummies.

Just a peek.......2007-05-01

This book and CD is a bird's eye view introduction to Italian. If you a serious about learning the language, choose a product with lots more audio content. Unless you hear the spoken language you'll never grasp it.
On the other hand, if a quick look is what you're looking for, then this is the book for you.

Fantastico!.......2007-03-11

This is a really easy book to use. believe it or not, Italian is my first language, English my second & I speak several others as well! I used this book as a refresher course & I was totally amazed at the ease of use & the ability to understand everything that was put before me! I highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone that wants to learn basic Italian!

NO CD-ROM W/THIS BOOK!!.......2006-11-25

I purchased this book as it supposedly came with a CD-ROM - it does not!! It comes with a regular audio CD. The error in the product title is on AMAZON'S part, as Amazon clearly describes it as containing a "CD-ROM." I didn't notice until I received it that the book cover states "audio CD". As for book content, no comment yet, as I'm trying to decide whether the book is staying or going.

learning a foreign language.......2006-03-13

I am still at the first stages, but learning a Italian is fun and the "Dummies" book is helpful!

Average customer rating:

As good as any extensive language book

Italian Phrases For Dummies

Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764572032

Book Description

Everyday conversations in Italian made easy
Italy is a perennially popular destination for Americans, with three cities (Florence, Rome, and Venice) among the top ten in Travel & Leisure's 2003 "World's Best Cities" poll. This concise, easy-to-use guide helps travelers and students get up to speed fast on conversational Italian, showcasing the most commonly used words and phrases.
Francesca Romana Onofri is an Italian translator and teacher.
Karen Moller is a writer who has worked on several Italian-language projects for Berlitz.

Customer Reviews:

As good as any extensive language book.......2005-04-28

When I travelled to France I bought a copy of "French for Dummies". After six months of studying I could say "I would like a bottle of water", or , "Where does this bus go?" After a week of Italian Phrases for Dummies I could do the same thing in Italian. If your planning a trip to Italy and don't want to waste a lot of time waiding through some text book learning things your going to foget two days after you return home, this book is definatly for you.

Italian For Dummies Audio Set (For Dummies (Language & Literature))

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Italian For Dummies Audio Set (For Dummies (Language & Literature))
Teresa L. Picarazzi
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0470095865

Book Description

Whether you are moving to Italy or just planning a vacation, you’ll want to know some key words and phrases to make sure everything’s va bene.

Italian For Dummies Audio Set has everything you need to introduce you to the language so that you can start to communicate with other Italian speakers (without memorizing a bunch of boring grammar notes and long vocabulary lists!). Each of the three hour-long CDs is filled with interesting conversation topics that allow you to listen to what you want to listen at your own pace. Soon, you’ll be able to communicate in Italian about:

Work, jobs, and office life
Making small talk
Traveling and making arrangements
Asking for directions
Getting help and assistance
Ordering at a restaurant
Booking a room in a hotel
Exchanging money at the bank
Shopping in a store or boutique

Book Description

A step-by-step guide to grasping the basics of Italian verbs

Over 66 million people around the world speak Italian, and Italian remains a popular choice for American students studying a foreign language. Italian Verbs For Dummies is ideal for those who have a basic knowledge of Italian but wish to improve their fluency by mastering the nuances of Italian verbs. This plain-English guide provides coverage of basic sentence structure, moods, tenses, and regular and irregular verbs, along with exercises to make conjugating Italian verbs a snap. It can also serve as a supplementary resource for students to use alongside classroom books.

Teresa L. Picarazzi (Fairfield, CT) is currently Adjunct Professor of Italian at Fairfield University and a full-time Italian teacher at Trumbull High School.

Average customer rating:

A Great Resource!

Stone Lithography (Printmaking Handbooks)
Paul Croft
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

A Great Resource!.......2004-04-29

With "Stone Lithography" Paul Croft has created an excellent resource for both the beginner and the experienced lithographer.
History, process and technique are clearly explained with concise text and full-color illustrations. This should be an essential part of any artist's library, and on every printmaker's sidetable.

America on stone;: The other printmakers to the American people; a chronicle of American lithography other than that of Currier & Ives, from its beginning, ... craftsmen from every part of America

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America on stone;: The other printmakers to the American people; a chronicle of American lithography other than that of Currier & Ives, from its beginning, ... craftsmen from every part of America
Harry Twyford Peters
Manufacturer: Doubleday, Doran and company, inc
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The Art Institute of Chicago Museum Studies: Songs on Stone: James McNeill Whistler and the Art of Lithography (Art Institute of Chicago Museum Studies Vol. 24)

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The Art Institute of Chicago Museum Studies: Songs on Stone: James McNeill Whistler and the Art of Lithography (Art Institute of Chicago Museum Studies Vol. 24)
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Manufacturer: Art Institute of Chicago
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California on stone,
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Cities on Stone: Nineteenth Century Lithograph Images of the Urban West

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Disapointing

Cities on Stone: Nineteenth Century Lithograph Images of the Urban West
John W. Reps
Manufacturer: Amon Carter Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

jp-unknown2 | Specialty Stores | Books
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Customer Reviews:

Disapointing.......2006-07-13

I was expecting more from this book. The lithographs are far more impressive seen at at a larger scale. They are too small in the book and loose some of their detail. Still, it is interesting to see many of the major metropolitain western cities of today at an infant stage.

Lithographic Prints from Stone and Plate,

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Lithographic Prints from Stone and Plate,
Manly Miles, Banister
Manufacturer: Sterling
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Binding: School & Library Binding
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Lithography for Artists. A Complete Account of How to Grind, Draw Upon, Etch, and Print from the Stone, Together with Instructions for Making Crayon, Transferring, etc.

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Lithography for Artists. A Complete Account of How to Grind, Draw Upon, Etch, and Print from the Stone, Together with Instructions for Making Crayon, Transferring, etc.
Bolton Brown
Manufacturer: University of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ITLN4U

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Lithography for artists;: A complete account of how to grind, draw upon, etch, and print from the stone, together with instructions for making crayon, ... etc., (The Scammon lectures for 1929)
Bolton Brown
Manufacturer: Pub. for the Art Institute of Chicago by the University of Chicago press
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Lithography, 1800-1850: The Techniques of Drawing on Stone in England and France and Their Application to Works of Typography

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Lithography, 1800-1850: The Techniques of Drawing on Stone in England and France and Their Application to Works of Typography
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Mexico on Stone : Lithography in Mexico, 1826-1900
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