A Theory of Justice for Animals: Animal Rights in a Nonideal World

by Robert Garner

Are animals worthy recipients of justice? If so, what do we owe them, and what is to be gained by using the language of justice when considering our duties toward them? A Theory of Justice for Animals, written by one of the foremost scholars of animal ethics, argues that not only are animals worthy recipients of justice, but that the language of justice offers a stronger base of claims for animal advocates than does the language of ethics or morality. It also claims that a genuinely political theory of animal rights is incomplete if it does not go beyond the level of ideal theory. This is the first account of animal ethics to use non-ideal theory, and it does so to plot a course from where we are now to where we want to be. Advancing what he calls the enhanced sentience position, Robert Garner argues that a valid theory of justice for animals should be rights-based, and that animals have a right to not suffer at the hands of humans. At the same time, he argues that humans have a greater interest in life and liberty than most species of nonhuman animals. Tackling animal ethics as it relates to justice and non-ideal theory, this is a seminal work that will challenge traditional approaches and offer a compelling new vision of animal justice.

206 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

Reviews

[Mikkel]

A must-read (admittedly, an overused term) for anyone interested in animal rights ethics - both for those seeking a broad introduction to the major positions and for the more well-versed readers. Garner covers a variety of major positions in both ideal theoretic and non-ideal theoretic debates of justice towards animals, and presents a long range of valid and scathing criticisms before arguing in favour of his preferred method of enhanced sentience.

Garner manages to incorporate a great amount of arguments and counterarguments in the relative shortness of the book and, while I can think of a few counterarguments not accounted for (e.g., the role technological development of alternative proteins can have in the transition away from traditional food production and research methods), the overall arguments are still very strong. Strong recommendation.

[Samantha]

My understanding of animal rights theory has been heavily shaped by Gary Francione's work. To that end, I struggle to conceive of the sentience position as an example of animal rights theory, albeit a nonideal theory. It is, however, a sound position that considers social and political limitations. I also agree with Garner that Singer's utilitarianism is NOT equivalent to the animal welfare ethic.