A critical defense of animal liberation

Abstract

This thesis aims at an exposition and defense of the views of Peter Singer with regard to ethics towards non-human animals. Peter Singer argues from a utilitarian perspective that non-human animals can too enjoy the benefits of the principle of equality. This would allow them equal consideration of interests together with human beings and this is based on their capacity for suffering. Since non-human animals, just like us, can and do suffer, there is simply no morally justifiable reason why we should choose not to take that suffering into consideration. It is in recognizing this, that we must ethically respond to the extensive practice of animal cruelty. The thesis shall also address various objections to Singera??s case by Peter Carruthers ,Roger Scruton, and Tom Regan. A comparative examination of the debate between Singera??s utilitarian case and Regana??s rights-based case shall also be presented.