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?”
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
- 1.
For discussion see B. Smart, Consumer Society: Critical Issues and Environmental Consequences (London: Sage, 2010).
- 2.
The Animal Kill Counter estimates that at least 150 billion nonhuman animals are killed every year by humans. ADAPTT, “Animal Kill Counter,” last revised February 10, 2015, http://www.adaptt.org/killcounter.html.
- 3.
D. Nibert, Animal Oppression and Human Violence: Domesecration, Capitalism, and Global Conflict (New York: Columbia University Press, 2013), 12.
- 4.
L. Boltanski, Distant Suffering: Morality, Media and Politics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999).
- 5.
See A. Giddens, Modernity and Self Identity (Cambridge, UK: Polity, 1991).
- 6.
Boltanski, Distant Suffering, xv.
- 7.
Ibid.
- 8.
J. Urry, The Tourist Gaze: Leisure and Travel in Contemporary Societies (London: Sage, 1990).
- 9.
E. Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon (London: Simon and Schuster, 1932).
- 10.
K. Snowden, “Dog Fighting Report From League Against Cruel Sports Reveals How Many Fights Takes Place Every Day,” The Huffington Post (11/12/2015). http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/10/dog-fighting-report-league-against-cruel-sports_n_8774702.html.
- 11.
J. Berger, “Vanishing Animals,” New Society 39 (1977): 665.
- 12.
A. Arluke and C. Sanders, Regarding Animals (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996), 171.
Bibliography
ADAPTT. “Animal Kill Counter.” Last revised February 10, 2015. http://www.adaptt.org/killcounter.html.
Arluke, A., and C. Sanders. Regarding Animals. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996.
Berger, J. “Vanishing Animals.” New Society 39 (1977): 664–665.
Boltanski, L. Distant Suffering: Morality, Media and Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Giddens, A. Modernity and Self Identity. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 1991.
Hemingway, E. Death in the Afternoon. London: Simon and Schuster, 1932.
Nibert, D. Animal Oppression and Human Violence: Domesecration, Capitalism, and Global Conflict. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013.
Smart, B. Consumer Society: Critical Issues and Environmental Consequences. London: Sage, 2010.
Snowden, K., “Dog Fighting Report From League Against Cruel Sports Reveals How Many Fights Takes Place Every Day.” The Huffington Post (11/12/2015). http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/10/dog-fighting-report-league-against-cruel-sports_n_8774702.html.
Urry, J. The Tourist Gaze: Leisure and Travel in Contemporary Societies. London: Sage, 2010.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Peggs, K. (2018). Introduction: The Ethics of Causing Suffering. In: Linzey, A., Linzey, C. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Practical Animal Ethics. The Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-36671-9_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-36671-9_22
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-36670-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-36671-9
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)