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The idea of giving rights to animals has long been
contentious, but a deeper look into the reasoning behind the
philosophy reveals ideas that aren’t all that radical. Animal rights
advocates want to distinguish animals from inanimate objects, as
they are so often considered by exploitative industries and the
law. The animal rights movement strives to make the public
aware of the fact that animals are sensitive, emotional, and
intelligent beings who deserve dignity and respect. But first, it’s
important to understand what the term “animal rights” really
means.
Animal rights are moral principles grounded in the belief
that non-human animals deserve the ability to live as they wish,
without being subjected to the desires of human beings. At the
core of animal rights is autonomy, which is another way of
saying choice. In many countries, human rights are enshrined to
protect certain freedoms, such as the right to expression, freedom
from torture, and access to democracy. Of course, these choices
are constrained depending on social locations like race, class, and
gender, but generally speaking, human rights safeguard the basic
tenets of what makes human lives worth living. Animal rights
aim to do something similar, only for non-human animals.
Animal rights come into direct opposition with animal
exploitation, which includes animals used by humans for a
variety of reasons, be it for food, as experimental objects, or even
pets. Animal rights can also be violated when it comes to human
destruction of animal habitats. This negatively impacts the ability
of animals to lead full lives of their choosing.
Internet:<thehumaneleague.org> (adapted).