Why is animal rights a moral issue?

All non-human animal species lack the capacity for free moral judgment. Therefore, non-human animals do not have moral rights. read more

Animal rights are their rights to a healthy happy life, or to a chance at one. Specifically, a domestic animal has the right to a healthy and happy life, while a wild animal has the right to be given the chance at survival. read more

The animals issue provides an admirably clear discussion of the role theoretical considerations have to play in determining our moral judgement. Carruthers explores a variety of moral theories, exposing the weaknesses of those that would accord rights to animals, and concluding that contractualism (in the tradition of Kant and Rawls) offers the most acceptable framework. read more