Speciesism

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Speciesism involves assigning different values or rights to beings on the basis of their species. The term was coined by Richard D. Ryder in 1970 and is used to denote prejudice similar in kind to sexism and racism. The term has not entered everyday language.

The idea of speciesism is used mostly by advocates of animal rights, who believe that it is irrational or morally wrong.

Philosophers Tom Regan and Peter Singer have both criticized speciesism. Regan rejects it because it permits unjustified violations of animals' inherent rights; Singer, because it violates the principle of equal consideration of interests.

Speciesism can be defined as a prejudice against taking the interests of members of other species into equal consideration based on the idea that all members of one's own species are more valuable than all members of other species, no matter what characteristics individuals might possess.

Great Ape personhood is a related concept, in which the various attributes of the Great Apes are deemed by some people, to merit recognition of their sentience and personhood within the law, as opposed to mere protection under animal cruelty legislation. This would cover matters such as their own best interest being taken into account in their treatment by people.

Some religions are less speciesist than others. While animists may believe in the equality of all sentient beings, monotheists tend to believe that human beings are superior to other lifeforms by divine intention. The teachings of Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism emphasizes ideals such as sarva jeeva sama bhava (सर्व जीव सम भाव), that is, "all sentient beings are equal", and are examples of religions that tilt towards being less speciesist, though the extent to which this is reflected in daily life in countries where those religions are influential depends on the local culture.

In science fiction

Speciesism is a popular theme in science fiction, referring to a prejudice against other intelligent species, equivalent to racism. For example, during the reign of the Galactic Empire in Star Wars, many alien species were oppressed by the ruling government, which consisted mainly of humans. In this context, it is sometimes referred to as xenophobia.

See also

• Animal rights
• Great Ape personhood
• Humanism
• Painism
• Peter Singer, Tom Regan, Steven Best, Richard D. Ryder
• Anthropocentrism
• Human exceptionalism

References

• [Rights for animals]
• [Anti-speciesism]
• ["All beings that feel pain deserve human rights"] by Richard Ryder, The Guardian, August 6, 2005

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