Henry Salt And His Thoughts On Animal Rights

Animal rights is an important part of environmental ethics. Recognition of theright of animals represented a turning point in the evolution of environmental ethicsfrom anthropocentrism to eco-centrism. Henry Stephens Salt’s Animals’ RightsConsidered in Relation to Social Progress is a classical work on this subject. Itadvocates expanding moral consideration from humans to animals and greatlyinfluences both British and American thinking on the subject. Salt not onlyinfluenced Western ethical theories on animal rights but also attempted social reformand helped improve the real conditions of animals by raising people’s awareness ofthe problem. Salt’s work on animal ethics greatly influenced contemporary writerson the subject. However, Salt’s contributions are not sufficiently recognized or evenignored in the field of environmental ethics today. Names like Peter Singer, TomRegan and Mary Warren are more often mentioned than Salt’s.This thesis studies Henry S. Salt’s book Animals’ Rights Considered in Relationto Social Progress from a historical point of view. The paper is based on textualanalysis and comprehensive historical analysis. The historical background of thebook is examined and the gist of Salt’s thinking in the book is identified. The authorintends to point out Henry S. Salt’s significant role in the development ofenvironmental ethics and remind people of Salt’s contribution to modern thinking onanimal rights.