what is speciesism course hero

What is speciesism and why is it important?

Speciesism is a form of discrimination – discrimination against those who don’t belong to a certain species. In most human societies, it is considered completely normal to discriminate against animals of other species.

Who coined the term speciesism?

The term speciesism was popularized a few years later by Australian philosopher Peter Singer. He credited Ryder with inventing the term, but he also gave the term its first official definition: "a prejudice or attitude of bias in favour of the interests of members of one's own species and against those of members of other species."

Why are animals still the victims of speciesism?

Even when animals are not exploited, they are still the victims of speciesism. They are discriminated against because they are not taken into serious consideration. 2 Humans have a variety of attitudes towards animals.

What animals are regarded differently in some societies than others?

For example, dogs, cows, and dolphins are regarded very differently in some societies than in others. One thing most societies have in common is that they discriminate in some very harmful ways against at least some species of animals.

What does the concept of speciesism mean?

“Speciesism” is the human-held belief that all other animal species are inferior. Speciesist thinking involves considering animals—who have their own desires, needs, and complex lives—as means to human ends.

What does speciesism mean in ethics?

speciesism, in applied ethics and the philosophy of animal rights, the practice of treating members of one species as morally more important than members of other species; also, the belief that this practice is justified.

What are some examples of speciesism?

By far, the best explanation of people's behavior is speciesism itself. For example, even though people know that dogs and pigs are about equal in intelligence and possess about the same ability to suffer, people are still are much more likely to help dogs than pigs.

What is speciesism according to Singer?

In his groundbreaking book Animal Liberation, philosopher Peter Singer defines speciesism as “a prejudice or attitude of bias in favor of the interests of members of one's own species and against those of members of other species.” But it's also speciesist to treat one animal's life as more valuable than another's.

Why does speciesism exist?

Justifying speciesism They argue that human beings are more self-aware, and more able to choose their own course of action than other animals. This, they say, enables them to think and act morally, and so entitles them to a higher moral status.

What does anti speciesist mean?

Anti-speciesism is thus opposed to the traditional hierarchical vision of species, derived from the Abrahamic religions, which made the animal a creation for the use of man. Although often lumped together with Singer's anti-speciesism, veganism is distinguished by its radicalism.

What are two types of speciesism?

Anthropocentric speciesism refers to our prejudice against animals and in favour of humans, whilst pet speciesism refers to our prejudice against non-pet animals (e.g. pigs) and in favour of pet animals (e.g. dogs).

What's wrong with speciesism?

Indeed, mistreatment of animals is utterly pervasive in our way of life. But speciesism is sheer prejudice — nothing more — and our giving greater consideration to humans than to animals is utterly unjustified.

Can speciesism be justified?

No one has succeeded in showing race or sex to be a morally relevant characteristic, or in showing how preference on these grounds could be justified even if race and sex are not morally relevant characteristics. It does not follow, however, that speciesism cannot be justified.

What is Singer's argument against speciesism?

Singer's argument departs from the ethical premise that if the interests of beings are alike, then they should be given equal consideration. For example, if two beings suffer from famine, then their respective interests in avoiding such suffering should weigh equally in our moral decision-making.

Is speciesism a real word?

Speciesism (/ˈspiːʃiːˌzɪzəm, -siːˌzɪz-/) is a term used in philosophy regarding the treatment of individuals of different species.

Early Supporters of Animal Rights

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon was a French naturalist. He was one of the first to propose the idea that animals saw the world in a similar way to humans. In other words, that animals had consciousness. He wrote that animals lived in groups similar to humans and therefore "must experience similar sensations."

Richard D. Ryder and the Term "Speciesism"

It wasn't until the 1970s that the term speciesism was used to describe the notion that humans were superior to nature. The term was created by Richard D. Ryder in a pamphlet he wrote for the Oxford Group that argued against animal experimentation.

Peter Singer and the Principle of Equal Consideration of Interests

The term speciesism was popularized a few years later by Australian philosopher Peter Singer. He credited Ryder with inventing the term, but he also gave the term its first official definition: "a prejudice or attitude of bias in favour of the interests of members of one's own species and against those of members of other species."