Beyond Animal Rights: Food, Pets and Ethics

by Tony Milligan

Issues to do with animal ethics remain at the heart of public debate. In Beyond Animal Rights , Tony Milligan goes beyond standard discussions of animal ethics to explore the ways in which we personally relate to other creatures through our diet, as pet owners and as beneficiaries of experimentation. The book connects with our duty to act and considers why previous discussions have failed to result in a change in the way that we live our lives.



The author asks a crucial what sort of people do we have to become if we are to sufficiently improve the ways in which we relate to the non-human? Appealing to both consequences and character, he argues that no improvement will be sufficient if it fails to set humans on a path towards a tolerable and sustainable future. Focussing on our direct relations to the animals we connect with the book offers guidance on all the relevant issues, including veganism and vegetarianism, the organic movement, pet ownership, and animal experimentation.

Genres: Philosophy, Animals

184 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2010

Reviews

[Paul P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rigorous examination of arguments (and sentiments) for the use of animals for food and experimentation.

In lieu of adopting a “sovereign concept” (a single and overriding moral concern), Milligan considers various principles—one by one. His conclusions are nuanced, but generally favor not eating animals and generally increasing the enjoyment they experience in life.

His multi-faceted approach and acknowledgment of some gray areas could possibly secure a broad alliance of people who want to improve the conditions of animals (even if they still desire to eat them, even occasionally). However, a dogmatic assertion, such as PETA’s declaration that “Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear or use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way,” has more moral clarity and more emotional pull.

I will strive to use some of his reasoning to (better) understand and explain my own vegetarianism and opposition to various “uses” of animals. And, I am grateful for his exposition. Yet, I’m not willing to set aside the passions that animate my life-choices. Perhaps Milligan isn’t asking for that, but it feels as if he is.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

What is there to say when you have nothing new to add to the debate? You go "beyond". Than you found the "post-" whatever. At a certain point you go for "neo" whatever. But Milligan will be long dead by that time.