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Definition: animal rights from Philip's Encyclopedia

Campaign for more humane treatment of animals, aiming to reduce the infliction of pain and distress, Activists' efforts have particularly focused on the use of animals in scientific experiments, but have also drawn attention to the practices of the meat industry. See also vivisection


Animal Rights

From Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice
Animal rights stem from early animal welfare organizations. However, there is a difference between the two movements. Animal rights advocates believe in letting animals live according to their nature and not be used as commodities. These activists believe that animals are similar enough to humans to deserve serious moral consideration and deserve a life lived not according to human goals. Thus, they do not eat meat, dairy products, or eggs; they do not wear leather, fur, or wool products; and they do not patronize corporations that produce these items or participate in animal testing. Animal welfare advocates believe that animals may not be able to reason, but they still feel pain and can suffer. This view differs from the animal rights perspective in that they can be used as commodities but must be treated humanely. Another term often used in animal rights circles is speciesism. Speciesism is the unjust discrimination of members of other species. The theory of animal rights stems from…
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Full text Article Animal Rights

From Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices
Protecting animals from neglect and cruelty has a long and venerated history in the United States. One landmark was the 1866 establishment of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The goals of the ASPCA—to stress the caretaker role in the relationship between humans…
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Full text Article Animal Rights

From Global Social Issues: An Encyclopedia
British primatologist and animal welfare advocate...
“Animal rights” is the concept that nonhuman animals (hereinafter referred to as “animals”) are entitled to rights and moral status. The animal rights movement is an international sociopolitical movement that aims to raise the moral and legal status of animals and protect them from cruelty. Like the…
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Full text Article animal rights

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
The extension of the concept of human rights to animals on the grounds that animals may not be able to reason but can suffer and are easily exploited by humans. The animal-rights movement is a general description for a wide range of organizations, both national and local, that take a more radical…
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Full text Article ANIMAL RIGHTS

From Global Dictionary of Theology
Do dogs have rights? What about pigs or vultures or snakes? More generally, do we humans have duties to animals because particular animals have certain rights? The Christian tradition through the years has spoken with more than one voice on this issue, though the majority voice affirms that animals…
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Full text Article animal rights

From Encyclopedia of Evolution
Nonhuman animal species have some legal protections, and there is controversy about extending these protections even further. Modern democratic societies recognize the equal rights of all of their citizens. They also recognize that all human beings have equal rights to fairness and justice, even…
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Full text Article animal rights

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
rights, primarily against being killed and being treated cruelly, that are thought to be possessed by higher nonhuman animals (e.g., chimpanzees) and many lower ones by virtue of their sentience. Respect for the welfare of animals is a precept of some ancient Eastern religions, including Jainism , …
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Full text Article Animal Rights

From Encyclopedia of American Studies
First patient, Hospital of the New York Women's...
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It takes up to 40 dumb animals to make a fur...
The issue of animal rights became highly popular in the 1980s atmosphere of activism and personal politics, encouraged by the Lynx anti-fur campaign's landmark ‘40 dumb animals’ cinema ad and billboard poster, showing a fashion model dragging a bloody fur coat behind her. It struck a chord, and…
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Full text Article ANIMAL RIGHTS

From Dictionary of Leisure Studies
The Aristotelian idea that the possession of reason separates humankind from the animal kingdom and allows it sole entry to the realm of the moral community has been challenged by animal rights activists. They place their faith in the sanctity of all life and argue animals should receive the same…
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Full text Article animal-rights movement

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
diverse individuals and groups concerned with protecting animals from perceived abuse or misuse. Supporters are specifically concerned with the use of animals for medical and cosmetics testing, the killing of animals for furs, hunting for pleasure, and the raising of livestock in restrictive or…
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