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Rawlsian Resources for Animal Ethics
- Ethics & the Environment
- Indiana University Press
- Volume 12, Number 1, Spring 2007
- pp. 1-22
- 10.2979/ete.2007.12.1.1
- Article
- Additional Information
This article considers what contribution the work of John Rawls can make to questions about animal ethics. It argues that there are more normative resources in A Theory of Justice for a concern with animal welfare than some of Rawls's critics acknowledge. However, the move from A Theory of Justice to Political Liberalism sees a depletion of normative resources in Rawlsian thought for addressing animal ethics. The article concludes by endorsing the implication of A Theory of Justice that we look for ways other than rights discourse to respect and protect the well-being of animals.