The Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics

The Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics is a comprehensive resource that surveys the field of animal ethics and invites scholars from other fields to contribute their disciplinary resources. It contains 44 chapters organized into six sections, covering topics such as thinking about animals, animal agriculture and hunting, animal research and genetic engineering, companion animals, wild animals, and animal activism. The chapters are brief and accessible to serious undergraduate students, covering a wide range of moral issues related to human interactions with animals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 602 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The field of animal ethics encompasses a wide range of important conversations that are scattered across various disciplines. This comprehensive volume serves as both a survey of the field and an invitation for professional philosophers, graduate students, and undergraduates to delve deeper into the discussions taking place outside of philosophy departments. To achieve this, the handbook includes a greater proportion of nonphilosophers than philosophers, actively seeking scholars from diverse fields such as animal science, ecology, economics, psychology, law, environmental science, and applied biology, among others, to contribute their disciplinary expertise to matters that impact animals.

The Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics consists of 44 chapters, all of which are presented in print for the first time in this volume and are organized into six sections:

I. Thinking About Animals: This section explores the philosophical foundations and concepts related to animals, including their nature, consciousness, and moral status. It examines the ethical questions that arise from our treatment of animals and considers various philosophical approaches to understanding animal ethics.

II. Animal Agriculture and Hunting: This section examines the ethical implications of animal agriculture and hunting, including the practices employed in raising livestock, hunting wild animals, and managing animal populations. It explores the benefits and drawbacks of these practices and considers the ethical responsibilities of individuals and societies in relation to animal welfare.

III. Animal Research and Genetic Engineering: This section explores the ethical considerations surrounding animal research and genetic engineering, including the use of animals in scientific experiments, the creation of genetically modified organisms, and the implications of these technologies for animal welfare and human health. It examines the ethical principles and guidelines that govern these practices and considers the potential benefits and risks associated with them.

IV. Companion Animals: This section examines the ethical considerations related to the ownership and care of companion animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and other pets. It explores the ethical responsibilities of pet owners, including providing proper nutrition, healthcare, and shelter, as well as addressing issues such as animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

V. Wild Animals: Conservation, Management, and Ethics: This section examines the ethical challenges associated with the conservation and management of wild animals, including the protection of endangered species, the management of animal populations, and the ethical considerations involved in hunting and fishing. It explores the ethical principles and guidelines that govern these practices and considers the potential impacts of human activities on animal ecosystems.

VI. Animal Activism: This section explores the ethical implications of animal activism and advocacy, including the use of protest, lobbying, and other forms of activism to promote animal welfare and protect animal rights. It examines the ethical principles and guidelines that govern animal activism and considers the potential benefits and risks associated with different approaches to animal advocacy.

The chapters in the handbook are concise and written in a manner accessible to serious undergraduate students, regardless of their field of study. The volume covers a wide range of topics, from animal cognition to the state of current fisheries, from genetic modification to intersection animal activism. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the moral issues that emerge from human interactions with animals.

In conclusion, the Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary resource that provides a comprehensive exploration of the field of animal ethics. By bringing together scholars from diverse fields and perspectives, the handbook offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the ethical challenges and considerations related to our interactions with animals. Whether you are a professional philosopher, a graduate student, or an undergraduate, this handbook will be an invaluable resource for your studies and research in animal ethics.

Weight: 1134g
Dimension: 179 x 255 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032474953