Citation

Freeman DA. Soc. Sci. J. 2002; 39(4): 527-538.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0362-3319(02)00227-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

What follows is an attempt to outline some of the more important conceptual and theoretical considerations regarding the relationship(s) between man and animal in the Western world. More specifically, I am interested in how man justifies the killing of animals and acts of violence against them. The human condition testifies to the cruelty and violence of man to man and man to animal. While the former has significantly been tamed over the centuries, the latter continues on a scale of significant proportion. There is no attempt here to answer the question, "why do men inflict violence and suffering on animals." Rather, I endeavor to offer a more modest perspective and paint a conceptual picture of what has been argued as man's dominion over animals and therefore man's right to treat animals as he sees fit. I will also present a counter argument which claims that man has a duty and responsibility to treat animals in humane ways.