Book Review: A Theory of Justice for Animals: Animal Rights in a Nonideal World
Published date | 01 February 2016 |
DOI | 10.1177/1478929915609467h |
Date | 01 February 2016 |
Subject Matter | Book ReviewsPolitical Theory |
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Both of these books will be very useful to
subjects while still challenging the most severe
readers interested in the recent developments
injustices, involving immediate and wide-
in normative political theory, especially in
spread forms of human-imposed suffering.
regard to the global justice debate. In addition,
This innovative approach surpasses traditional
Forst’s theoretical synthesis of Anglo-
species-egalitarian versions which assign equal
American political philosophy and Frankfurt
moral value to all rights-holders with a more
School critical theory nicely bridges the gap
nuanced account of the distinct kinds of rights
between these related yet often mutually
animals are entitled to, given morally relevant
ignored traditions in political theory. As exem-
differences. For example, Garner intriguingly
plified in the diversity of approaches employed
argues that non-human animals possess differ-
by Forst’s critics in Justice, Democracy and
ent and comparatively less significant interests
the Right to Justification, this is a highly fruit-
in liberty and continued life that serve to justify
ful move.
different treatment.
Garner criticises the capabilities approach,
Lior Erez
aimed at securing what animals need to be able
(University of Cambridge)
to flourish, as a competitor to his own well-
considered theory. Oppor-tunities exist, how-
ever, for allying these two theories in the future
A Theory of Justice for Animals: Animal
for the practical defence of animal rights. For
Rights in a Nonideal World by Robert
instance, additional focus on both species
Garner. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.
norms (which might include interspecies com-
197pp., £19.99 (p/b), ISBN 9780199936335
munity membership) and individual differ-
ences within species could further strengthen
Robert Garner’s book considers the treatment
and specify the rights due to animals. This
and moral status of animals to be a matter of
...
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