Introduction: The Ethics of Causing Suffering

Abstract

This chapter introduces the section on ethics and the suffering of nonhuman animals. Drawing on Luc Boltanski’s observation that the media act as intermediaries between the television viewer and distantly suffering humans, consideration is given to the respects in which the contributors to this section act as intermediaries between the reader and suffering nonhuman animals. The evidence of nonhuman animal suffering is everywhere, but it is often either hidden or it goes unrecognised. The slice of meat, the pint of milk, the dozen eggs, the lump of cheese, the pharmaceutical product, the seat at the bullfight, the place at the dogfight, the lives of companion animals, the killing of elephants and other respected free-ranging nonhuman animals and the lack of consideration given to nonhuman animals we feel repulsed by, signify nonhuman animal suffering in different ways and to different degrees and extents. It is through the authors’ contributions that we either experience the distanced suffering of nonhuman animals or are encouraged to consider the immediate suffering that we might have ignored or not seen. Once the intermediary makes clear the suffering that is present the practical ethical question arises: “What actions should be taken, what should be done?”