Killing humans and killing animals

Peter Singer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is one thing to say that the suffering of non-human animals ought to be considered equally with the like suffering of humans; quite another to decide how the wrongness of killing non-human animals compares with the wrongness of killing human beings. It is argued that while species makes no difference to the wrongness of killing, the possession of certain capacities, in particular the capacity to see oneself as a distinct entity with a future, does. It is claimed, however, that this is not the only factor to be taken into account; pleasant or happy life is in itself good. The application of these conclusions to killing animals for food is then considered, with some passing reflections on infacticide.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)145-156
Number of pages12
JournalInquiry (United Kingdom)
Volume22
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1979
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Philosophy
  • Health Policy

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