Violence and animals : Moral considerations cencerning injustice, the perception of hierarchy and EU law
Abstract:
Abstract
The EU is seen as having one of the most progressive approaches to
animals in the world by granting them the status of ‘sentient beings’ in
law. This paper discusses this moral status and its prospects within the
current legal system. Moral judgements, ideology and value-based assumptions
permeate the law. By bringing these to light the debate may be
broadened and roots to issues may be made more visible. The paper
suggests that it is mainly the entrenched perception of a hierarchy that
undermines attempts to progress the animal legal debate. The legislative
acceptance of this hierarchy also seems to legitimize violence where ‘acceptable’
violence is seen as relative to an individual’s status in society.
Chapter one presents the framework for EU laws pertaining to animals
and how acceptable violence towards them is determined. Chapter two
attempts to deconstruct the socially and legally accepted levels of violence
towards animals used for food by criticizing and challenging the
arguments given for using animals for this purpose. Chapter three presents
some aspects of contradictory human moral behavior towards
animals and how the construct of society might relate to this. Research
in psychology and ideological inclinations in EU actions are presented as
possible explanations for why the moral foundations of the laws remain
amorphous. Chapter four presents some practical obstacles in the way of
a fundamental shift in perception for society, followed by a discussion
concerning an alternative ethical route that recognizes animals as a powerless
group. The way forward is fraught with disagreement, but this paper
suggests that the direction is clear.
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