The Global Evolution of Animal Welfare and Rights: Ethics, Law, and Future Horizons
Inuit seal hunting, Japanese whaling, and Indigenous subsistence farming are traditions. Imposing Western animal rights standards is colonialist. Rebuttal: Advocates distinguish between subsistence (survival) and commercial (luxury) killing. They argue that tradition does not justify cruelty, though they acknowledge the need for cultural sensitivity. The Global Evolution of Animal Welfare and Rights:
Despite progress, numerous challenges persist: They argue that tradition does not justify cruelty,
Mammals, birds, and increasingly recognized organisms like cephalopods (octopuses) and decapod crustaceans (crabs and lobsters) possess sentience. This means they can experience positive and negative emotional states, including joy, affection, fear, anxiety, and physical pain. Studies show that pigs can play video games, crows can manufacture tools, and elephants mourn their dead. This growing body of evidence forces society to expand its circle of moral consideration. Critical Frontiers in Animal Advocacy Studies show that pigs can play video games,