We can no more justify using nonhumans as human resources than we can justify human slavery. Animal use and slavery have at least one important point in common: both institutions treat sentient beings exclusively as resources of others. That cannot be justified with respect to humans; it cannot be justified with respect to nonhumans—however “humanely” we treat them.
Interpretation
The quote argues against the use of animals as resources, likening it to human slavery.
In this quote, Gary L. Francione draws a parallel between the exploitation of animals and the historical injustice of slavery, emphasizing that both practices fundamentally treat sentient beings as mere resources for others. He asserts that the ethical considerations that protect humans should equally apply to nonhumans, suggesting that even humane treatment does not justify their use as mere tools or property.
In practice
During a speech on animal welfare, one might use this quote to highlight the ethical implications of animal use.
The idea that we have the right to inflict suffering and death on other sentient beings for the trivial reasons of palate pleasure and fashion is, without doubt, one of the most arrogant and morally repugnant notions in the history of human thought.
Humans treat animals as things that exist as means to human ends. That's morally wrong. Sexism promotes the idea that women are things that exist as means to the ends of men. That's morally wrong. We need to stop treating all persons - whether human or nonhuman - as things.
They are nonhuman persons. They are not food. If animals matter morally at all, there is one and only one rational response: go vegan. Everything else is just participation in animal exploitation.
We cannot talk simultaneously about animal rights and the 'humane' slaughter of animals.
We are vegans not simply because being vegan will reduce suffering. We are vegan because every sentient being values her or his life even if no one else does. We are vegan because justice minimally requires that we not take life for trivial purposes.
Veganism is the application of the principle of abolition in your own life; it represents your recognition that animals are not things. Veganism is the recognition of the moral personhood of nonhuman animals.
There never were, in the world, two opinions alike, no more than two hairs, or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.
Will our Philosophy to later Life_x000D_ _x000D_ Seem but a crudeness of the planet's youth,_x000D_ _x000D_ Our Wisdom but a parasite of Truth?
There is no better proof of a man's being truly good than his desiring to be constantly under the observation of good men.
When God wants to drive a person insane, he grants that person's every wish.
Capitalism without failure is like religion without sin. Bankruptcies and losses concentrate the mind on prudent behavior.
You get trapped by stories. Though I've got this reputation for being out of control, it's not true, it just happens to be a more interesting story than the truth.
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