The Animal Ethics Reader

by Susan J. Armstrong (Editor), Richard G. Bozler (Editor)

This volume provides a comprehensive anthology of readings on this substantial area of study and interest. The book is designed to appeal to anyone interested in tracing the history of the subject, as well as providing a powerful insight into the debate as it has developed.

Genres: Philosophy, Animals, Academic, Nonfiction, Science

680 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ike Sharpless · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book as the textbook for the animal studies class I teach both at UMass Lowell and at the Tufts Experimental College (wikis: ikesharpless.pbworks.com / animalethics.pbworks.com). There are a couple of other readers in the field, but I think this one does the best job of providing disciplinary breadth and 'balance' (i.e., unlike some of the other readers I've sampled, this one does not toe the animal rights party line, to the extent that there is such a thing). It covers ethics, cognition, primates & cetaceans, animals as food, wild animals, animals as companions, animals in biomedical research and biotechnology, and animal law - and each section has at least one 'pro' and one 'con': Regan & Cohen, Dennett & Bekoff, DeGrazia & the Animal Ag Alliance, and so on. My only real gripes are that the binding is kind of shoddy, the font is too small, and there could be more in the way of introducing students to critical animal theory. All in all, I recommend it as a reader.

[elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent scholastic inquiry of animal rights: from what humanity considers universally profane to our everyday interactions. Examines the actions we defend out of our own self-interests over the welfare of animals. I had to question myself and change my behavior after this read. Highly recommend.

[Joshua Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers what you'd expect it to, which is basically all areas of animal ethics; from zoos to companion animals , cloning, etc. etc., this is a fairly easy to understand, one stop shopping, deal. The essays by Bernard Rollin are particularly good, IMHO.

[Heather Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of essays on the full range of issues in animal welfare - from the moral status of animals through their cognitive and emotional capacities to practical concerns in specific taxa and husbandry practices. Many of the key works in the field are represented.

[Ata A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encyclopedic knowledge on everything imaginable regarding non human animals. Great resource for those concerned with animal rights.

[Rhi]

Has excerpts so it makes them easily readable and thus provides good scope and selection from the field. However, for academic purposes you need to find the full texts.