The moral status of non-human animals has evolved from a peripheral concern to a central topic in ethics, law, and public policy. This paper examines the two dominant frameworks governing human-animal interactions: the Animal Welfare paradigm and the Animal Rights paradigm. While welfare proponents advocate for the humane treatment of animals within existing systems of use (e.g., farming, research), rights theorists argue for the abolition of all institutionalized animal exploitation. This paper analyzes the philosophical foundations, practical applications, and inherent limitations of each approach, concluding that while welfare reforms offer immediate pragmatic benefits, the rights perspective presents a more coherent long-term ethical solution to speciesism.
Divergent Paradigms: A Critical Examination of Animal Welfare and Animal Rights zoo bestiality xxx
Legal scholar Gary Francione (1995) synthesizes both views into the Abolitionist Approach : Since animals are property, welfare reforms will always be insufficient. He argues that welfare campaigns (e.g., “larger cages”) do not end property status and often increase consumer acceptance of animal use. The only consistent position is veganism and the total abolition of animal exploitation. The moral status of non-human animals has evolved