Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Advocating for Animals, part 4
Reflecting on whether advocating for animal welfare reforms undermine the
goal of animal liberation, I not that some have argued that if conditions of
animal exploitation are improved, there will be less incentive to push for
animal liberation. I find this argument problematic and flawed.
Sentencing many billions of innocent creatures to horrific abuse every year
indefinitely is a huge price for animals to pay today for other animals’
possible liberation in the future. Further, nearly all animals killed for
food, skins, experimentation, and other reasons suffer and die far from the
public eye. Their suffering would likely have no impact on the public
consciousness.
I also think the argument is flawed. If animal liberation were grounded in a
conviction that humans do not have the right to harm any creature
unnecessarily, then whether animals are mistreated a little or mistreated
badly would not matter. Opposing improvements in animal welfare presumes
that public support for animal liberation requires severe animal
mistreatment. However, if this were the case, animal abuse industries, if
ever threatened with the prospect of animal liberation, could simply improve
animal welfare and public support for animal liberation would then
evaporate.
Abolitionists often object when animal rights groups endorse animal welfare
initiatives that fall short of liberation. This, abolitionists assert,
confuses the public about the philosophy and goals of animal rights and
animal liberation. I will start to explore this concern next week.
Go on to: Advocating for Animals, part 5
Return to:
Reflections on the Lectionary, Table of Contents