A Study On Tom Reagan 's Theory Of Animal Right

Tom Regan’s theory of animal rights, a philosophical perspective on the proposition of animal rights, is one of the most important theories in the animal liberation movement. Regan argues that harm of all kinds to animals can not be completely eradicated unless they are endowed with rights. His philosophy, based on the fundamental human rights and aligning broadly within Kant’s deontology, advocates that animals must be treated as ends in themselves, not as a means to an end. In strong opposition to establishing the moral status of animals on the theory of utilitarianism which treats individuals only as receptacles of what has value, Regan believes that the true equality lies in that similar individuals should be similarly treated. Since human beings and animals are subjects-of-a-life, they have their inherent value, which, regardless of whether it matters to anyone else, matters to human beings or animals themselves. Individuals, who are consistent with the subject-of-a-life criterion, have their inherent value, and thus have moral rights. On this basis, Regan further puts forward the respect principle and the harm principle, which advocate that all subjects-of-a-life with inherent value have basic moral rights of receiving respectful treatment and being free from initial harm. As for the miniride principle and the worse-off principle, they mean that animals’rights of being free from harm can be overridden in some given circumstances. Regan’s theory of animal rights, though enjoying great advantages in granting animals adequate moral rights, is confronted with the comprehensive objections from the weak animal rights view and certain theories which deny animals’rights. The study of Regan’s theory of animal rights is of great importance in promoting China’s animal protection movement, developing our environmental ethics and improving our theories of ecological ethics.