Animal Suffering, Human Rights, and the Virtue of Justice

Per Bauhn critiques contemporary philosophical views on animals and morality, arguing that we cannot escape a speciesist perspective and that cruelty against non-human animals is morally wrong due to the failure of human agents to develop justice. He relies on the concept of justice, which agents are rationally required to develop, rather than any causal hypothesis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 83 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

In his book, Per Bauhn delves into three compelling aspects. Firstly, he provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary philosophical perspectives on animals and morality, encompassing critiques of speciesism and the animal rights argument. Secondly, he critically examines these views, contending that we are inherently bound by a speciesist perspective on morality, and that there are no compelling reasons to believe that non-human animals possess moral rights. Thirdly, he makes a strong case that cruelty towards non-human animals is morally wrong, not solely because animal rights are being violated, but because human agents who inflict such harm fail to cultivate the virtue of justice within themselves.

This latter argument bears a resemblance to Immanuel Kant's notion of indirect duties towards animals, yet it differs significantly in that Bauhn's argument does not rely on any causal hypothesis suggesting that individuals who are cruel to animals are likely to exhibit cruelty towards their fellow humans. Instead, Bauhn's argument rests on the fundamental inconsistency between being cruel to non-human animals and other innocent beings and the virtue of justice, a virtue that rational agents are obligated to develop within themselves.

Bauhn's exploration of these topics is insightful and thought-provoking, challenging readers to reevaluate their views on animals and morality. His arguments are well-supported by logical reasoning and empirical evidence, making his book a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate surrounding the treatment of non-human animals. By examining the intersection of philosophy, ethics, and animal welfare, Bauhn offers a compelling case for a more compassionate and just approach to our interactions with the natural world.

Weight: 275g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031270475
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023