Animals: Our Moral Contradictions

Francione Gary L.

Event Abstract:

Although there is a great deal of disagreement about moral issues, no one disagrees with the notion that it’s wrong to inflict unnecessary suffering or death on a human or an animal. We need a good reason to inflict suffering or death on a human or an animal. We might disagree about whether necessity exists in any given situation and what constitutes a good reason, but we would all agree that enjoyment or pleasure cannot constitute necessity or serve as a good reason. This is part of our conventional moral wisdom. This is why we object to people like Michael Vick, the American football player who was operating a dog fighting enterprise. Vick did a barbaric thing; he caused dogs to suffer and die for no good reason. He may have enjoyed the ‘sport’ of dog fighting but that simply was not a good enough reason for what he did. The problem is that eating animals is, as a matter of moral analysis, no different from dog fighting. 

In this talk, I will explore the confused—indeed delusional—thinking that characterizes how many of us approach the issue of animal ethics, which I argue is related to the status of animals as property.  

Biography:

Professor Francione is a distinguished Professor of Law & Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Scholar of Law and Philosophy at Rutgers University. He has been teaching animal rights theory and law for over 25 years. His abolitionist theory, which is critical of animal welfare law and the property status of animals, is widely regarded as the most exciting innovation in modern animal ethics.

Professor Francione is the author of numerous books, including ‘The Animal Rights Debate: Abolition or Regulation?’, published in 2010 by Columbia University Press. His other books include: ‘Animals as Persons: Essays on the Abolition of Animal Exploitation’ (2008); ‘Introduction to Animal Rights: Your Child or the Dog’ (2000); ‘Animals, Property, and the Law’ (1995); and ‘Vivisection and Dissection in the Classroom: A Guide to Conscientious Objection’ (with Anna E. Charlton) (1992). 

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.