Animal Liberation | Peter Singer | The Book That Changed My Life Forever

Animal Liberation | Peter Singer | a rational argument in favor of an ethical perspective on non-human animals

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Animal Liberation

	Animal Liberation Peter Singer Harper Perennial, 2001 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 97 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The Book That Started A Revolution

Since its original publication in 1975, this groundbreaking work has awakened millions of concerned men and women to the shocking abuse of animals everywhere -- inspiring a worldwide movement to eliminate much of the cruel and unnecessary laboratory animal experimentation of years past.

In this newly revised and expanded edition, author Peter Singer exposes the chilling realities of today's "factory forms" and product-testing procedures -- offering sound, humane solutions to what has become a profound environmental and social as well as moral issue. An important and persuasive appeal to conscience, fairness, decency and justice, Animal Liberation is essential reading for the supporter and the skeptic alike.

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The Book That Changed My Life Forever

When I was just a seventeen-year-old teenager, the boss at my summer job gave me Animal Liberation to read because he didn't have the heart to throw a book out. He said PETA sent it to him because of his large donation. He wasn't a vegetarian but he did have a soft spot for the animals.

Anyway, half way through the book, I converted to vegetarianism. By the end of the book which coincided with the end of the week, I was a vegan and haven't looked back since that day which was 20 years ago.

Read this book and inform yourself. You don't have to become a vegan but it would be nice if you developed an awareness of how mankind treats animals and how he has forsaken his role as "shepherd."

Thanks.

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a rational argument in favor of an ethical perspective on non-human animals

This book, more than any other shook the foundation of my perspective on animal suffering and enlightened me to the suffering we all cause to non-human animals every day. Singer shows the reader what harm is being done and that doing no harm is not simply a matter of continuing the comfortable pattern of thoughts and behaviors that are the majority in human societies.

Singer's rational and utilitarian approach is the perfect antidote to both irrational and reactionary arguments against the validation of this suffering and also the stereotype of vegans and those in favor of animal rights as overly sentimental animal lovers. His writing is precise, his examples measured and his arguments never pedantic or repetitive.

Singer takes utilitarian ethical theory to its conclusions in thought and practice. He defines his premises well and then proceeds logically and unswervingly to all ramifications of these premises. While many have attacked the radical ethical ideas Singer puts forth far fewer have anything more substantial than intuitive resistance to his stance. Animal abolitionists also criticize this book saying that it and Singer do not go far enough. While there may be disagreements about the goals of working towards ending the suffering of animals there can be no doubt that "Animal Liberation" has been incredibly influential in raising the consciousness of the importance of these goals.

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Revolutionary book

This book is like an enlightment.Peter singer managed to dissecate the speciesist assumption that animals dont count on the ethics equation.
The book ranges from the explanation of the argument for animal rigths in a remarkable way, it traces the philosophical background of speciesism in history and it also show us examples of the consequences of our speciesism, factory farming, animal experimentation etc...
Its a must have to everyone that wants a better society for all, animals included.

the most useful, convincing, and enjoyable introduction to this topic

This is the only book I have ever rated five stars.

Animal Liberation sparked a worldwide movement since the first edition's publication in 1975. Had this book not been published, you probably would never have heard of animal rights.

It presents a well-argued, concise overview of each issue:

In chapter 1, Singer argues that the most basic principles of ethics that we apply to humans - against causing pain and suffering for trivial reasons - apply to members of other species precisely because they are capable of experiencing pain and suffering as intensely as members of our own species. He claims that our attitude of assuming that the suffering of other species cannot be taken seriously is therefore a form of prejudice, called "speciesism" by analogy with racism and sexism.

Chapters 2 and 3 expose the mind-boggling cruelty we carry out on other species for experimentation and food, and (convincingly, I think) compare these practices, and our attitudes towards them, with the similar treatment of, and attitudes towards, groups of humans in what we now consider the darkest periods of human history.

In chapter 4, Singer amasses evidence in support of adopting a vegetarian diet, which has, directly and indirectly, convinced millions.

Chapter 5 undermines the attitudes towards other animals that most of us grew up with by revealing their historical origins. Rather than viewing our conception of human superiority as a deep, inarticulable, but somehow respectable intuition, Singer points out that it is uniquely Western, and closely correlates historically with other prejudiced attitudes.

In chapter 6, Singer straightforwardly responds to all of the common objections to his positions, including those raised against the first edition, highlights the successes of the movement since the first edition, and inspires us all to join the animal rights movement.

Animal Liberation is a classic, a must-read for anyone who stands for or against animal rights, and even those interested in philosophy or politics more generally. I should point out, though, that it has not been updated since 1990, so the latest advances in animal rights aren't described. Also, if you don't like prefaces, skip the two more recent ones if you wish, but don't miss the original "Preface to the 1975 Edition." It's brilliant and historic.

If you are at all concerned with basic questions of justice, of how we ought to live, you cannot afford to pass up this book.

Enjoy!

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