Release date is 2021-02-08

The principle of animals' rights -- The case of domestic animals -- The case of wild animals -- The slaughter of animals for food -- Sport, or amateur butchery -- Murderous millinery -- Experimental torture -- Lines of reform -- Appendices: The term "rights." The Neo-Cartesians. Motor versus horse. Zoological gardens. Scientist and sacerdotalist. The confessions of a physician. Antipathy or sympathy? The animal question and the social question -- Bibliography.

Turgut Dincer, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

"Animals' Rights Considered in Relation to Social Progress" by Henry S. Salt is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The work discusses the ethical implications of animal rights and how their recognition reflects societal progress, against the backdrop of ongoing debates about the treatment of both domestic and wild animals. It likely explores themes of justice, morality, and the interconnectedness of human and animal welfare, urging readers to extend their ethical consideration beyond just humanity. The opening of this treatise establishes a foundational premise: if humans possess rights, then so do animals. Salt critically assesses historical views toward animal rights, tracing philosophical thought from ancient thinkers through to modern humanitarian movements, and argues for a moral evolution that recognizes the individuality of all creatures. He highlights significant legislative milestones, such as Martin's Act, and connects contemporary views of animals to broader cultural perceptions, navigating the complexities of various arguments against animal cruelty, the ethics of consumption, and recreational hunting. The preface and introductory chapter together set the stage for a deeper exploration of ethical reform concerning animal treatment, appealing to a growing social conscience for justice across species. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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