This comprehensive and diverse anthology, the only one of its kind, illuminates the complex evolution of moral thought regarding animals and includes writings from ancient Greece to the present. Animal Rights reveals the ways in which a variety of thinkers have addressed such issues as our ethical responsibilities for the welfare of animals, whether animals have rights, and what it means to be human.

ForewordBeyond caricature: preface to the Columbia University press editionPt. I. Differences between humans and animals1. Creation of the universe2. Animals are not political3. Animals are not rational creatures4. The human and the beast5. Animals as automata6. Animals have no language7. Understanding in animals8. A response to Locke9. Of the reason of animals10. On animal souls11. Freedom of the will12. Organic difference13. Animals have no concepts14. Animals are not self-aware15. An animal is not a species being16. On the genius of species17. The lure of the simple distinctionPt. II. Dominion and the limits to power1. The golden age2. Animals are for our use3. Rational domination4. Unrestricted dominion5. Difference does not justify domination6. Animals in the cosmic hierarchy7. The right of nature8. Dominion is subject to law9. The workmanship model10. Responsibility to the weak11. Animals do not make war on humans12. Animals may be used13. Dominion and property14. The limits to power15. Animals as utilities16. Nature teaches mutual aid17. Dominion as power18. Critique of the principle of domination19. Dominion is socialPt. III. Justice, rights and obligations1. Justice requires friendship2. No friendship with irrational creatures3. Exclusion from friendship is not rational4. The government of animals5. Animals have no intrinsic rights6. Cruelty is not natural7. No justice without equality8. Differences do not justify inequality9. Duties to animals are indirect10. Animals are not constitutional persons11. The inalienable rights of animals12. All nature suffers13. Limits to the rights over animals14. Duty to minimize suffering15. Duties to animals are direct16. The principle of animal rights17. Pity for animals18. Duties to life19. Outside the scope of the theory of justice20. The rights of animals21. All animals are equal22. Constraints and animals23. The feminist challenge24. The struggle for animal rights