What Is Speciesism?

What is Speciesism?

When is it morally permissible to harm or exploit another individual? Does their intelligence, sexual orientation, gender or the colour of their eyes inform our decision? The answer must be no; we recognize all these qualities as biological circumstances that have no bearing on whether someone should be harmed or exploited. It is time for our understanding of this fact to extend beyond human animals. Species membership is another biological circumstance that does not inform us whether an individual suffers, wants to live or whether they should be the property of another person. Species membership cannot be used as a reason to harm or exploit another individual. If it used as such, it is an example of speciesism.

Speciesism is a failure, in attitude or practice, to accord any nonhuman animal equal consideration and respect (as defined by Joan Dunayer in her book “Speciesism”). In the broader context of non-human animal rights, anti-speciesism is the fight for fundamental justice for non-human animals. It is the fight for non-human animals to be liberated from property status and for moral consideration that extends to all sentient beings.

The interests of non-human animals are often ignored because humans want to use non-human animals for food, entertainment, clothing, companionship or in laboratory settings. When we ignore these interests or believe our own human interests to be more important, we discriminate against non-human animals. This is speciesism.