where science and ethics intersect with politics
I’m thankful for my human kin who want to protect other animals from our own fierce species as we recognize that the playing field isn’t level and as we’re unwilling to take advantage of the power differential, all the while acknowledging superior kinds of intelligence embodied in other species.
Knowing the devastation that factory farming causes to water, land or human health hasn’t convinced industry captains of the error of their ways. The myth of efficiency boosted factory farming for these many decades. Now the devastation it causes is coming back to haunt us. A conference in London, taking place October 5-6, will bring it all together.
Empathy rests on the assumption that we are more likely to feel empathic with those with whom we share similarities. What about the empathy of difference? Not everyone is going to look into the eyes of a rattlesnake and be able to see from the eyes of the rattlesnake. Assuming sentience and therefore, being empathic, underlies the Humane Party’s “ecosystem-neutral” philosophical approach to the environment.
We’re attuned to the suffering of sentient beings and so, as part of our daily self-care, it’s worthwhile to remind ourselves and our compassionate readers of the individuals and organizations which are doing so much to promote a kind world—four examples follow along with a prescription: no less than one belly laugh daily!
It’s likely that your coconut-infused products are made with coconuts gathered by child slave labor, that is, the labor of baby primates. Their mothers have been murdered. They’re then chained, whipped and beaten into submission. They are hung by the neck to develop strong back legs. Why? Because they can then pick 1200 coconuts each day in contrast to humans who can only pick a few hundred each day.
A brand is unlike the eyes of the other, those of our own or any species with whom gazes are exchanged. There is no Thou here. There is only I, I, I. The eye comes smack up against flat surfaces. There is no space to reflect, to wonder, to explore.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new website hides animal welfare data, “based on our commitment to being transparent, remaining responsive to our stakeholders’ informational needs, and maintaining the privacy rights of individuals.”
Here the USDA uses language to proclaim the exact opposite of its action.
Hannah Arendt has said: “In order to kill a person, you have to kill the juridical person first—you need to remove the law from the person you are killing.” President Trump’s illegal Immigration Order aims at abolishing the state and killing the juridical person.
Within less than 72 hours of the oath of office, the new administration made significant changes to the White House’s website. Removing disability rights is one of those changes.
The premise of the movie A Dog’s Purpose is to make humans happy. This is an atavistic, egregious premise.
Although Perdue worked cooperatively with HSUS and HSLS to make dog fighting a felony and banned the use of gas chambers as well as raised awareness of cat and dog population, his nomination may be far from exemplary.
“Who cares? They’re not human” speaks volumes of our lack of consciousness and conscience towards the sentience of other beings who are perceived as “less than” because they are other than us.
A white-tailed buck temporarily took up residence in Harlem in mid-December, to the delight of his human neighbors. The buck ultimately died in custody, reportedly due to stress.
The Humane Herald 