An Animal’s place in America
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document in english
literature
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date published 19/11/2007
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SummaryIn 1975, an Australian philosopher by the name of Peter Singer first published his controversial book Animal Liberation. It has since become widely known as the beginning of the current “animal liberation movement” in America. The book preached the virtues of vegetarianism and vilified the American agribusiness, which Singer believed was highly immoral. Singer’s Animal Liberation has had many varying effects on the world; and specifically, the United States. Singer’s book had a great number of admirer’s, as well as its fair share of critics. In November of 2002, New York Times contributing writer Michael Pollan wrote an article entitled “An Animal’s Place.” This article dispelled some of the myths behind Singer’s Animal Liberation, as well criticized some of Singer’s ideas. Pollan’s article, however, is more than a mere argument against Singer’s belief system. Pollan delves into Singer’s arguments, and points out that while some are valid, many are not.
Table of Contents- Michael Pollan begins his article with a bit of humor, recalling that the first time he read Singer's Animal Liberation he was 'dining alone at the Palm, trying to enjoy a rib-eye steak cooked medium-rare?
- The suffering of animals is not something to be taken lightly by anyone. However, Pollan remains true to the belief that they are just animals, and should not be compared to human beings.
- One of key concepts of Animal Liberation is that of 'speciesism.' Singer defines 'speciesism' as 'a prejudice or attitude of bias in favor of the interests of members of one's own species and against those of members of other species
- Kant, the well-known philosopher, believed that it was never moral for anyone to treat a 'rational creature' merely as a means to an end.
- The central argument of Peter Singer's case is that animals should not be made to suffer for the benefit of humans.
- One thing that Peter Singer and Michael Pollan agree on is the fact that factory farms can be needlessly brutal.
- Peter Singer's heart is in the right place. Animal suffering is never a good thing, and Singer is correct in wanting to put an end to it wherever possible.
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