Animal Ethics Reader

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

The Animal Ethics Reader is the first comprehensive, state-of-the-art anthology of readings on this substantial area of study and interest. A subject that regularly captures the headlines, 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. The recent wealth of material published in this area has not, until now, been collected in one volume. Readings are arranged thematically, carefully presenting a balanced representation of the subject as it stands. It will be essential reading for students taking a course in the subject as well as being of considerable interest to the general reader.
Articles are arranged under the following headings:
Theories of Animal Ethics
Animal Capacities
Animals for Food
Animal Experimentation
Genetic Engineering of Animals
Ethics and Wildlife
Zoos, Aquaria, and Animals in Entertainment
Companion Animals
Legal Rights for Animals
Readings from leading experts in the field including Peter Singer, Mary Midgely and Bernard Rollin are featured as well as selections from Donald Griffin, Mark Bekoff, Jane Goodall, Raymond Frey, Barbara Orlans, Tom Regan, and Baird Callicott. There is an emphasis on balancing classic and contemporary readings with a view to presenting debates as they stand at this point in time.

Each chapter is introduced by the editors and study questions feature at the end. The foreword has been written by Bernard Rollin.

This will be appropriate reading for students taking courses in philosophy, ethics, zoology, animal science, psychology, veterinary medicine, law, environmental science and religion.

Genres: Philosophy, Animals, Academic, Nonfiction, Science

608 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.