The current Humanist Self-Conception (2018) is already an indicator of the importance of animal ethics, animal welfare and animal protection: in a single sentence, it points out that there are also “many sentient species among animals and that pleasure and pain (…) are not exclusive to humans.” Our publications and exchange formats also bear a clear anthropocentric signature in other respects; the focus is on humans and we are far from having a well-founded position on animal ethics. Added to this is the impression that taking sides on animal ethics and animal welfare issues tends to be ridiculed in humanist ‘circles’ and that ‘true’ humanism is concerned with the human condition. In other words, animal ethics lies outside the core of our brand.
In this Friday Salon, we want to explore various questions, such as whether animals have dignity, whether this dignity – like human dignity – can be weighed against other values, whether animals have moral rights, whether they need lawyers, and much more.
The fact that animals are allowed to be systematically tortured in a high-tech agricultural economy, that they are often not treated with dignity, that they have the status of ‘things’ rather than living creatures under the law, calls for a humanism that broadens its focus. After an introduction to basic animal ethical positions by Dorothea Winter, we want to talk about the necessity of developing a humanistic animal ethical position. Perhaps this will also result in a new working context in which we can start working together on a humanistic animal ethics position.
To participate, you must register at salon@humanismus.de. The link for digital participation will then be sent in good time.
