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The Radical Egalitarian Case For Animal Rights By Tom Regan

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In "The Radical Egalitarian Case for Animal Rights," Tom Regan argues that animals deserve moral consideration and respect, and that the ill treatment of animals for human purposes is morally wrong. Regan begins by stating that animals, like humans, are subjects-of-a-life and have inherent value. This means that they are beings who have their own experiences, projects, and plans, and that they have inherent value simply by virtue of being alive. Regan then goes on to argue that the exploitation and use of animals for human purposes, such as in agriculture, entertainment, and scientific research, is morally wrong and should be completely abolished. He asserts that it is wrong to treat animals as mere means to an end, just as it is wrong to treat humans in this way. …show more content…

This principle applies to all animals, not just those that are cognitively similar to humans. Regan believes that animals' interests should be taken into account in the same way as human interests, and that it is wrong to prioritize the interests of humans over those of animals. Regan also addresses the objection that animals do not have moral standing; they are not capable of fulfilling moral obligations nor engaging in moral actions compared to humans. He argues that this objection is based on a narrow and flawed understanding of moral standing, which sees it as dependent on cognitive abilities and actions. Regan affirms that moral standing should not be tied to cognitive abilities or actions, but understanding that moral standings is heavily influenced by inherent

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He continues to look at the “rights” of moral agents and that moral agents can only be if they themselves can make moral decisions. Animals cannot make moral

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The theory of animal welfare, as described in the quote, suggests that it is important to consider the suffering and well being of animals when making decisions, because it could impact them. These ideas encourage a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the connection of all living things, and can inform more ethical and sustainable approaches to our relationship with the

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The book argues that people have lost respect and sense how to treat animals. As a society we value our own interests before others. The mankind sees this planet to be created for its needs, thus every living organism and non human animal is there for its use. Scully calls for animal protection and is opposed to any abuse toward the most vulnerable creatures on this planet.

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One topic that many scholars are debating right now is the topic of animal rights. The questions are, on what basis are rights given, and do animals possess rights? Two prominent scholars, Tom Regan and Tibor Machan, each give compelling arguments about animal rights, Regan for them and Machan against them. Machan makes the sharp statement, “Animals have no rights need no liberation” (Machan, p. 480). This statement was made in direct opposition to Regan who says, “Reason compels us to recognize the equal inherent value of these animals and, with this, their equal right to be treated with respect” (Regan, p. 477).

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I will argue in favor of Regan’s principle that non-human animals should have moral rights. Tom Regan, a famous philosopher, proposed the idea “that animals have rights based on their inherent value as experiencing subjects of life” (Regan). For thousands of years, animals have been used for as pets, food, and labor. Throughout the past century, many philosophers, including Regan, have raised arguments on how we, as humans, are treating animals poorly.

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