Animals' Rights Considered in Relation to Social Progress

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Salt, Henry S., 1851-1939

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Animals' Rights Considered in Relation to Social Progress" by Henry S. Salt is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The work discusses the ethical implications of animal rights and how their recognition reflects societal progress, against the backdrop of ongoing debates about the treatment of both domestic and wild animals. It likely explores themes of justice, morality, and the interconnectedness of human and animal welfare, urging readers to extend their ethical consideration beyond just humanity. The opening of this treatise establishes a foundational premise: if humans possess rights, then so do animals. Salt critically assesses historical views toward animal rights, tracing philosophical thought from ancient thinkers through to modern humanitarian movements, and argues for a moral evolution that recognizes the individuality of all creatures. He highlights significant legislative milestones, such as Martin's Act, and connects contemporary views of animals to broader cultural perceptions, navigating the complexities of various arguments against animal cruelty, the ethics of consumption, and recreational hunting. The preface and introductory chapter together set the stage for a deeper exploration of ethical reform concerning animal treatment, appealing to a growing social conscience for justice across species. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

The principle of animals' rights

The case of domestic animals

The case of wild animals

The slaughter of animals for food

Sport, or amateur butchery

Murderous millinery

Experimental torture

Lines of reform

Appendices: The term "rights." The Neo-Cartesians. Motor versus horse. Zoological gardens. Scientist and sacerdotalist. The confessions of a physician. Antipathy or sympathy? The animal question and the social question

Bibliography.

Credits:

Turgut Dincer, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 51.5 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2021-02-08