Joan Dunayer is a writer, editor, and animal rights advocate. Her articles and essays have appeared in magazines, journals, college textbooks, and anthologies. She is the author of Animal Equality: Language and Liberation.

Speciesism
by Joan Dunayer
$18.95

Softcover - 204 pages

Defining speciesism as "a failure, in attitude or practice, to accord any nonhuman being equal consideration and respect," Joan Dunayer compellingly critiques speciesism both outside and inside the animal rights movement. With bold originality, she examines philosophy, law, and activism in terms of three categories: "old-speciesists" limit rights to humans; "new-speciesists" advocate rights for relatively few nonhumans, those who seem most human-like; nonspeciesists advocate basic rights, such as rights to liberty and life, for all sentient beings. Uniquely egalitarian, Speciesism outlines nonspeciesist thought, law and action.

"Speciesism is destined to become the definitive statement of the abolitionist animal rights position, not only in philosophy but also for the law and for conducting animal rights advocacy. With uncompromising clarity and abundant, up-to-date evidence, Joan Dunayer details the logical conclusions of the basic animal rights proposition that all that is required for moral rights is the ability to suffer. Her keen ear for speciesist language and her sharp eye or logical inconsistency provide a wealth of information, insights, and thought provocation even for those who have been active in the animal rights movement for decades, and her criticisms of the hierarchical variety of speciesism still found in the writings of some of the best-known advocates of animal rights will provide a constructive focus for lively discussion both within and beyond that movement."

—Steve F. Sapontzis, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, California
State University, Hayward and author of Morals, Reason, and Animals