Speciesism: An Introduction
Speciesism is the act of treating an individual, not according to its characteristics (such as the ability to suffer), but according to the species to which the individual belongs.
Jeremy Bentham (Oxford University Professor of Jurisprudence) said,"What is it that should trace the insuperable line?..The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? But rather, Can they suffer?" (An Introduction to the Principles of Morals & Legislation, 1789). For those who can suffer it is the degree of suffering - not the race, species, gender, financial status, or sexual orientation of the sufferer - that should matter. Similarly, if an individual desires to live, then their life should be given equal consideration.| "Humans are granted rights to their lives because most have a strong desire to avoid death and suffer fear when their lives are threatened. Humans are granted control over their own bodies because they suffer pain when their bodies are mutilated, and boredom and frustration when caged for long periods of time. Since we, as a society, understand how horrible these sorts of sufferings are, we try to protect humans from those who might kill, mutilate, or cage them, regardless of the benefits to others that such sufferings might bring. Animals whom we have made our slaves, we do not like to consider our equals." --Charles Darwin Metaphysics, Materialism, and the Evolution of Mind |
There is a link that exists between the oppression and prejudice of humans, and the oppression and prejudice of non-human animals; and there are identical justifications for prejudice against either.
From the philosophy of "Might Makes Right" to simply "This is justified because they aren't of my financial status/ gender/ sexual orientation/ species/ race/ intellect/ etc," humans have, deliberately or not, oppressed others since civilization began. This doesn't have to be the case, however.
We must question "social norms" of society that we've learned from our parents, our teachers and our friends. Many of us in the LGBQT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Trans*) community know this, as we've had to question norms of sexuality and gender. We must not stop there. The "social norm" that animals can suffer for our entertainment must be questioned by us all, and we must find the willingness to be aware, learn, and grow as a community.
Is it possible:
Once the oppressed, now the oppressors?
What is meant by "rights"?
by Vegan Outreach