Taking animals seriously

by David DeGrazia

What sort of minds do animals have? Do they have feelings, desires, or beliefs? Are they capable of self-awareness, language, or autonomy? Do animals have moral standing, and if so, how seriously should we take their interests when they conflict with human interests? This book distinguishes itself from the sometimes polemical literature on these issues by offering the most judicious and balanced exploration yet available of animals' moral standing and of related questions concerning their minds and welfare. Transcending the overplayed debate between utilitarians and rights theorists, the book employs a fresh methodological approach in defending highly progressive conclusions regarding our treatment of animals. David DeGrazia provides the most thorough discussion yet of whether equal consideration should be extended to animals' interests, and he examines the issues of animal minds and animal welfare with an unparalleled combination of philosophical rigor and empirical documentation.