What could be the basis of our having more inherent value than animals? Their lack of reason, or autonomy, or intellect? Only if we are willing to make the same judgment in the case of humans who are similarly deficient.
Tom ReganRead
The other animals humans eat, use in science, hunt, trap, and exploit in a variety of ways, have a life of their own that is of importance to them apart from their utility to us. They are not only in the world, they are aware of it. What happens to them matters to them. Each has a life that fares better or worse for the one whose life it is.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Animals possess their own lives and consciousness beyond their usefulness to humans.
Tom Regan emphasizes the intrinsic value of animal lives, arguing that they experience awareness and have their own interests that matter independently of human needs. He asserts that each animal leads a life that is significant to them, and their well-being should be considered in ethical discussions about how humans interact with them.
Themes
Animal RightsConsciousnessEthicsAwarenessValue
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about animal rights, you could use this quote to highlight the moral obligations humans have toward animals.
More from Tom Regan
All quotes →It is not larger, cleaner cages that justice demands...but empty cages; not traditional animal agriculture but a complete end to all commerce in the flesh of dead animals; not more humane hunting and trapping, but the total eradication of these barbarous practices.
Tom ReganRead
It is not an act of kindness to treat animals respectfully. It is an act of justice.
Tom ReganRead
I would encourage them never to forget that they were not always vegans. The self-righteousness of the recently converted hurts, it does not help, other animals.
Tom ReganRead
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