The Political Animal: The Conquest of Speciesism
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
This book is about one of the most extraordinary phenomena of our times, one which raises fundamental questions about the nature of altruism, about the character of humankind, about a new political agenda and about the relationship of humans with the rest of nature. This phenomenon is the attention paid to the welfare of nonhuman animals and their rights or interests. In the century since Darwin, humankind have clung to the notion that they are entirely different from and morally superior to all other species. This modern idea is in sharp contrast to ancient times when, the evidence shows, early humans respected animals and early religions saw them as divine manifestations. The relationship of humankind to other species is the focus of this work. An historical overview is first presented, crossing many cultures and eras. The ethics of animal exploitation and "pain-ism" are next covered, followed by an exploration of the science of animal welfare. How the political debate over animal welfare has developed and its potential for changing politicians' attitudes and behavior are the subjects of the concluding chapter.
About the Author
Richard Ryder, described as "the Moses of the Animal Welfare Movement" by Lord Houghton Sowerby and as "the stormy Petrel of the RSPCA" by VS Pritchett, studied animal behavior at Cambridge University and Columbia before practicing for many years as a clinical psychologist. He became a key figure in the animal rights revival of the 1970s, and as chairman of the RSPCA (1977-79) was instrumental in the organization's reform. Ryder who coined the term "speciesism" in 1970, is the director of animal welfare studies for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He lives in Devon, England.
The Political Animal: The Conquest of Speciesism,Richard D. Ryder,McFarland & Company,0786405309,Animal Rights,Animal welfare,Animals / Pets,Human Ecology,Moral and ethical aspects,Nature,Nature/Ecology,Popular Culture - General,Wildlife Conservation
The Political Animal: The Conquest of Speciesism
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