Coined by British psychologist and philosopher Richard D. Ryder in 1970, the term speciesism refers to the belief that nonhuman animals are completely unlike humans in their ability to feel pleasure and pain and live an autonomous existence, and therefore are inferior to the human species. Speciesism also refers to systems and behaviors that perpetuate human exploitation and dominance over nonhuman animals. Like other “-isms” speciesism manifests itself many ways. However, at the core is a belief that non-human animals are of little or no moral or ethical concern to humans precisely because they are ‘not like us.’
Speciesists make several interconnected arguments regarding nonhuman animals and their relationship to human beings. Some insist that since nonhuman animals are a ‘lesser species’ who are here solely for human use, it follows that we can use them as we see fit. Indeed, there is no such thing as ‘cruelty toward animals’ since cruelty is a moral concern and nonhuman animals do not deserve moral consideration because of their inherent inferiority. Despite massive amounts of evidence to the |
Nekeisha Alayna Alexis speaks about speciesism, racism and sexism, at Calvin College, January, 2009.
|