Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Leadership Studies
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis, thus, is to provide a convincing account of the proper ethical treatment of animals. I will discuss some of the most popular theoretical frameworks, utilitarianism, Kantianism, and contractarianism, and see how they apply to animals. After explaining and critiquing these theories I will provide an alternative theory for the ethical treatment of animals, which should serve as the basis for our actions and guide our behavior towards animals, especially the eating of meat.
The argument I will be defending is neither abolitionist-granting animals the same rights as human beings and therefore rejecting all institutions involving the use of animals-nor does it support the status quo. My approach is reformist. It calls for a need to re-think our treatment of animals and establishes clear restrictions involving our behavior towards them, but certainly does not reject all uses of animals.
Recommended Citation
Schneider, Xenia Corali, "Treating animals right : introducing a new fairness approach" (2009). Honors Theses. 1274.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1274