Animal Rights and Moral Philosophy
Julian H. Franklin
"Julian Franklin, a respected political philosopher, enters the
animal rights debate with a thoroughly fascinating, engaging, and
accessible essay that explores utilitarian and deontological theory and
presents a theory of animal rights based on Franklin's reinterpretation
of Kant. This intriguing book will most certainly provoke debate about
basic issues concerning the moral status of nonhumans."
—Gary L.
Francione, Rutgers University School of Law
"Julian Franklin gives us a clear and fair-minded critique of what
contemporary philosophers have to say about the moral rights of animals.
At the core of his book is a carefully argued rereading of the key texts
of Kant against Kant himself. A valuable contribution to a vital
debate."
—J. M. Coetzee, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2003
"This slim but persuasive volume presents a masterful analysis of the
philosophical underpinnings of animal rights, showing the inadequacy of
accounts given by Peter Singer, Tom Regan, and other theorists.
Franklin's theory, grounded in a modified Kantian approach, will now be
essential reading on this subject."
—Cynthia Grant Bowman, professor
of law, Northwestern University School of Law
"A welcome addition to the expanding body of work on animal rights.
Highly readable and insightful."
—Tom Regan, author of Empty
Cages: Facing the Challenge of Animal Rights
"Franklin's arguments are subtle, intricate...well worth the
effort."
—Mark Rowlands, Times Literary Supplement
"Franklin (emer. Columbia Univ.) has written a wonderful little
book...Highly recommended."
—Choice
Animals obviously cannot have a right of free speech or a right to vote
because they lack the relevant capacities. But their right to life and to
be free of exploitation is no less fundamental than the corresponding
right of humans, writes Julian H. Franklin. This theoretically rigorous
book will reassure the committed, help the uncertain to decide, and arm
the polemicist.
Franklin examines all the major arguments for animal rights proposed to
date and extends the philosophy in new directions. Animal Rights and
Moral Philosophy begins by considering the utilitarian argument of
equal respect for animals advocated by Peter Singer and, even more
favorably, the rights approach that has been advanced by Tom Regan.
Despite their merits, both are found wanting as theoretical foundations
for animal rights. Franklin also examines the ecofeminist argument for an
ethics of care and several rationalist arguments before concluding that
Kant's categorical imperative can be expanded to form a basis for an
ethical system that includes all sentient beings. Franklin also discusses
compassion as applied to animals, encompassing Albert Schweitzer's ethics
of reverence for life. He concludes his analysis by considering conflicts
of rights between animals and humans.
Contents
Peter Singer and
Utilitarianism
Regan on Animal Rights
Animal Rights and
Kant
Animal Rights and Post-Kantian Rationalism
Animal Rights and
Compassion
Conflict of Rights and Environmentalism
About the Author
Julian H. Franklin
is professor emeritus of political philosophy at Columbia University.
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