Tom Regan Religion And Animal Rights Summary

In the essay titled “Religion and Animal Rights” by American Philosopher Tom Regan, Mr. Regan maintains the position that animals are the “subjects-of-a-life”, just as humans are. If we want to ascribe value to all human beings regardless of the degree of rationality they are capable of, then in order to be consistent we must similarly ascribe it to non-human animals as well. He effectively uses a pathos and logos approach when he argues to his audience that that all practices involving the mistreatment of animals should be abolished rather than reformed, animals have an inherent value just as humans do, and emphasizes that unbridled Christian theology has brought the earth to the brink of ecological disaster. Regan begins the essay by stating that “. . . few people regard the animal rights position as
He then compares animal rights to extreme moral positions such as Rape, Child Pornography, and Racial discrimination, stating that“. . . when an injustice is absolute, as is true of each of the examples just cited, then one must oppose it absolutely. It is not reformed, more humane child pornography that an enlightened ethic calls for; it is its abolition that is required” (Regan 688). This comparison technique between animal rights and emotionally stimulating topics is an effective use of pathos by association. What Regan is saying is the issue of animal rights is no different than the aforementioned ones. We must be totally against wearing animal skins, hunting animals for sport, and breeding animals for slaughter, not just against one or the other. In his eyes, cows that are slaughtered to make hamburger patties are no different than victims of a violent crime and rape, so it should stimulate the same emotional reaction. This belief is thought of by many to be an “extremist” view of animal rights and not generally accepted. But Regan writes, “There was a