What is Speciesism?
And why does it matter?
Speciesism occurs when we discriminate against a particular being or beings based purely on the species to which they belong. It's the idea that certain species have greater moral value than others, sometimes based on notions of intelligence but often for arbitrary reasons.
One way speciesism is sometimes dismissed is through the misapprehension that it seeks the equal treatment of animals and humans (i.e. animals should have the same rights as humans). This is ridiculous of course as no one is looking to give chickens the right to vote or cows the right to drive cars. What's needed instead is equal consideration for all species - to look at the basic wants and needs of all beings and ensure they're being met wherever possible. Such needs may range from those common to most species (like being able to move, to raise your offspring, or have the freedom to roam) to those more specific to an individual species like, in the case of chickens for example, the ability to form a social 'pecking order', to spread their wings, or to dust bathe and peck at the earth.
We can see how problematic our treatment of certain animals is when we address the single most important desire of all species (humans included). The desire to live. Even on the rare occasions farm animals are given what some would consider fair and decent treatment, their most important and strongest desire, the desire to not be killed, is routinely and deliberately ignored in a system where slitting the throats of these animals (and at a fraction of their natural lifespan) is always the ultimate goal.
To understand speciesism is to understand that all earth's inhabitants have the basic right to be free and alive -
a right we'd surely expect ourselves if we were in as vulnerable a position as the animals.
We don't somehow gain the moral right to hurt, imprison or kill animals just because they are different from us, less intelligent than us, or place lower on a pecking order that we ourselves created, and to see just how misplaced our self-imposed importance is, try removing a species as 'low' or 'unimportant' as bees from the planet - the results of course would be catastrophic.
One way speciesism is sometimes dismissed is through the misapprehension that it seeks the equal treatment of animals and humans (i.e. animals should have the same rights as humans). This is ridiculous of course as no one is looking to give chickens the right to vote or cows the right to drive cars. What's needed instead is equal consideration for all species - to look at the basic wants and needs of all beings and ensure they're being met wherever possible. Such needs may range from those common to most species (like being able to move, to raise your offspring, or have the freedom to roam) to those more specific to an individual species like, in the case of chickens for example, the ability to form a social 'pecking order', to spread their wings, or to dust bathe and peck at the earth.
We can see how problematic our treatment of certain animals is when we address the single most important desire of all species (humans included). The desire to live. Even on the rare occasions farm animals are given what some would consider fair and decent treatment, their most important and strongest desire, the desire to not be killed, is routinely and deliberately ignored in a system where slitting the throats of these animals (and at a fraction of their natural lifespan) is always the ultimate goal.
To understand speciesism is to understand that all earth's inhabitants have the basic right to be free and alive -
a right we'd surely expect ourselves if we were in as vulnerable a position as the animals.
We don't somehow gain the moral right to hurt, imprison or kill animals just because they are different from us, less intelligent than us, or place lower on a pecking order that we ourselves created, and to see just how misplaced our self-imposed importance is, try removing a species as 'low' or 'unimportant' as bees from the planet - the results of course would be catastrophic.
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A second important factor when considering speciesism is that it's generally the first form of discrimination we are taught as children. Kids aren't born to discriminate, they aren't born racist or sexist or hating a particular group of people. These behaviours are learned from their peers, their parents, or from society as a whole.
And so the second a child is encouraged to step on a spider, hook a fish through the mouth, take a ride on
an elephant or eat the dead body of a chicken, that child begins to understand that in certain circumstances, discriminating against those who are different from us is a totally acceptable part of life.
Speciesism teaches children that we are sometimes 'better' than others purely because of their differences, and that we can do whatever we like to certain beings without a second thought for their welfare, especially when they are weaker or less intelligent than us. Kids begin to understand from an early age that some beings matter more than others (and that some don't matter at all).
As long as this worldview is planted from childhood, it's unlikely that other forms of discrimination that come later will be eradicated either. Consider a person who, as they're learning about life for the first time, is taught that a spider has just as much value as a puppy, that a pig has as much right to life as a person, and that just because fish look different from us it doesn't mean they matter less. What do you think the chances are of this person then growing up to see humans of their very own species as morally inferior because of minor differences like race, gender or religion?
By evolving together to respect all life, however different from us it may be, we can start moving towards a society that can make discrimination against each other a relic of the past as well.
And so the second a child is encouraged to step on a spider, hook a fish through the mouth, take a ride on
an elephant or eat the dead body of a chicken, that child begins to understand that in certain circumstances, discriminating against those who are different from us is a totally acceptable part of life.
Speciesism teaches children that we are sometimes 'better' than others purely because of their differences, and that we can do whatever we like to certain beings without a second thought for their welfare, especially when they are weaker or less intelligent than us. Kids begin to understand from an early age that some beings matter more than others (and that some don't matter at all).
As long as this worldview is planted from childhood, it's unlikely that other forms of discrimination that come later will be eradicated either. Consider a person who, as they're learning about life for the first time, is taught that a spider has just as much value as a puppy, that a pig has as much right to life as a person, and that just because fish look different from us it doesn't mean they matter less. What do you think the chances are of this person then growing up to see humans of their very own species as morally inferior because of minor differences like race, gender or religion?
By evolving together to respect all life, however different from us it may be, we can start moving towards a society that can make discrimination against each other a relic of the past as well.
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You can learn a little more about the animals who suffer most from our speciesism by clicking on
the boxes below. Gentle creatures who value their life and freedom in just the same way we do.
the boxes below. Gentle creatures who value their life and freedom in just the same way we do.
"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar
is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar"
Bradley Millar
is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar"
Bradley Millar