Reagan Animal Rights Theory Research

Regan is one of the most important philosophers in20century, he proposed the theory of animal rights. Regan believes that animals and humans have the main ideas, desires, consciousness, memory, with a sense of the future and the ability to perceive pleasure and pain of life, they should enjoy the fundamental rights to be respected treatment. Regan’s theory starts from the criticism of Singh’s Animal Liberation theory. Regan views that Singer’s departure from the utilitarian moral status of animals by the exposition is inadequate. He criticized the conflicts between Animal Liberation on the utilitarian position and internal principles which Singer prefers, and Singer proposed the intrinsic value of perspective from the point of view of the theory of Kant’s moral obligation. Independent of any other value of the inherent value, the scope of rational people extended to animals.Regan proved the possibility of animal rights by two points, subject of life and intrinsic. Then he proved the necessity of his theory by his cumulative argument. Animal rights theory has been criticized from different positions. There are four most important points views:First, against animal has consciousness which R.G.Frey supports. He believes that animals do not have the ability to use language, and thus does not have the faith. The second view is based on the criticism of the Kantian deontological position that animals which have no ration are not moral subjects, and therefore they can not have moral status, where they do not bear a direct obligation. The third is based on the critique of the utilitarian position, R.G. Frey negates the equal inherent value of the animals and humans by the concept of the quality of life. The last one is the critique of the Regan who resorts to the intuitive way as a standard measure of moral principles. As to these criticisms, the Regan all has a response.Regan’s animal rights theory provides a strong theoretical basis for the animal protection movement, extremely important for the Protection of Animals. However, there are some defects in the practical significance of the theory. I will critic his theory from species and practical views.