The Feminist Care Tradition in Animal Ethics

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The Feminist Care Tradition in Animal Ethics

Editors: Josephine Donovan and Carol J. Adams

 

Book Description

 

In Beyond Animal Rights, Josephine Donovan and Carol J.

Adams introduced feminist " ethic of care " theory into

philosophical discussions of the treatment of animals. In

this new volume, seven essays from Beyond Animal Rights

are joined by nine new articles-most of which were written

in response to that book-and a new introduction that

situates feminist animal care theory within feminist theory

and the larger debate over animal rights. Contributors

critique theorists' reliance on natural rights doctrine and

utilitarianism, which, they suggest, have a masculine bias.

They argue for ethical attentiveness and sympathy in our

relationships with animals and propose a link between the

continuing subjugation of women and the human domination of

nature. Beginning with the earliest articulation of the

idea in the mid-1980s and continuing to the theory's most

recent revisions, this volume presents the most complete

portrait of the evolution of the feminist-care tradition.

 

Review

 

" Every scholar interested in social (in)justice should read

this book. As a compelling examination of the workings of

power, prejudice, and ideology, this powerful anthology

lays down a challenge to all progressive scholarship and

politics -- whether 'animal-identified' or not. As a

nuanced and sophisticated framework for a feminist approach

to social relationships, the articulation of a 'care

tradition' in human-animal relations is transformative. The

editors do a tremendous service by bringing together some

of the classic essays in the field with some of the

sharpest new criticism and commentary. This collection is

an invaluable source and resource that every feminist

should have on her bookshelf. " -- Joni Seager, professor

and dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York

University, Toronto

 

 

 

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