Presentation & Discussion: Animal Rights and Wrongs

The question of what humans owe to the animals we share the planet has been posed by philosophers since ancient times. Aristotle placed humans at the top, with animals existing for our use. Rene Descartes thought animals were "automata" with no consciousness. Judeo/Christian theology held that humans had dominion over all creation, as we were created in the image of God. Then along came Darwin, and evolution, to blow it all up with the recognition that we differ from other animals in degree only, not in kind. In that light, the modern animal rights/animal welfare movement began.
We will take a look at the history of animal rights in the west, and where it stands today in the public sphere. From the sentimentalism of "Black Beauty" to Singer's "Animal Liberation", from the ASPCA to PETA, there is a range of opinion. Where do your ideas fit?

Marsha will be leading our discussion.
Note: We will stay with western history on this because there is only so much time in a morning.

Where: Norwich Library Community Room
We will be in the community room at the Norwich Library.

• Food: Bring something to share if you like
• Coffee will be provided, Cups/Utensils: Carry in/Carry out
• Zoom available on Request