The document discusses the history and modern state of the animal rights movement. It notes that ancient philosophers like Pythagoras and Aristotle debated the moral status of animals. Modern animal rights philosophy emerged in the 1970s led by thinkers like Peter Singer, Tom Regan, and Gary Francione. While laws now prevent cruelty, animals are still considered property without full rights under the law. Major advocacy groups like PETA argue animals should not be used for food, clothing, experiments or entertainment.

1. Animal Rights By Brigitta Kovács

2. Animal rights Advocates : animals as legal persons and members of the moral community Critics : animals do not have the capacity to make moral choices

3. History Pythagoras (6th century BC) the first animal rights philosopher transmigration of souls Aristotle (4th century BC) non-human animals ranked far below humans Theophrastus : against eating meat René Descartes (17th century) animals have no souls or minds, are complex automata Pythagoras Theophrastus Aristotle Descartes

4. Organizations 1824 Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (in Britain) 1892 Henry Salt: Humanitarian League

5. Modern animal rights movement The early 1970s Created by philosophers Distinction between sentient animals and other life forms Peter Singer, Tom Regan, Gary L. Francione

6. Peter Singer Ideological founder of today’s animal liberation movement Utilitarian principle: Equal consideration of interests ” speciesism”

7. Tom Regan Animals as ”subjects-of-a-life” are bearers of rights All normal mammals of at least 1 year of age can be regarded as ”subjects-of-a-life” Treat animals as persons

8. Gary L. Francione Introduction to Animal Rights Animals = property => rights would be undermined by that property status ” moral schizophrenia”

9. PETA People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ” Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment”

11. Animal rights in law Laws against cruelty to animals regulate the keeping of animals regulate the transit of animals internationally offer no civil rights to animals