The Animal Rights Movement in America From Compassion to Respect

Explains the philosophy of the animal rights movement, looks at its origins, and discusses current issues and future trends

The authors, both philosophers and activists, document the evolution of what has consistently been a controversial, sometimes explosive social movement. While the Finsens trace the movement's beginnings back to the late 19th century, they focus largely on the nearly two decades following the 1975 publication of Peter Singer's Animal Liberation. In clear and thorough fashion, they discuss moral concerns that have become ever more pressing in a century that has witnessed a precipitous increase in the use of animals for agriculture and research and as pets. Discussing major campaigns such as the anti-fur movement, the fight against factory farming, the fight against scientific experimentation and the effort to solve pet overpopulation, they also cover both well-known organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and ALF (Animal Liberation Front) and the many lesser-known and recently conceived groups. In a section titled "Other Voices," the authors offer an overview of related movements like ecofeminism and opposing viewpoints that argue that sentience is morally irrelevant or that animal rights taken to the nth degree must mean rights for carrots. The final question raised, "Whither Animal Rights?" looks at the issues and tactics the animal rights movement will need to address as it strives for universal acceptance.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Finsens profile the various animal-rights groups and their philosophies, goals, and actions. They also provide a readable history of the movement, from its beginning in early philosophy to more concerted and organized efforts in eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth-century Britain and the U.S. They treat in particular detail several of the most active and influential animal-rights organizations, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Animal Liberation Front. The Finsens also offer a good analysis of books central to the movement, including Singer's Animal Liberation (1975) and Regan's Case for Animal Rights (1983). Though the authors acknowledge their bias in favor of animal rights, and that bias is especially clear in their discussions of groups and individuals in disagreement with animal-rights advocates, theirs remains an excellent primer on a growing political movement. Brian McCombie