Citation

Author Website

rcjones.me

Commentary Type

Invited Commentary

Thread

Jonathan Birch, Animal sentience and the precautionary principle

Abstract

The precautionary principle regarding animal sentience is often used in decision-making about human actions that may cause harm to nonhuman animals. Birch (2017) develops an account of the precautionary principle requiring two pragmatic rules for its implementation. I support Birch's proposal but offer a cautionary note about relying on precautionary principles if one's ultimate goal is to emancipate animals from human domination.

Author Biography

Robert C. Jones is Associate Professor of Philosophy at California State University. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on animal ethics, animal cognition, and food ethics, and has given over forty talks on animal ethics. rcjones.me