Speciesista

Speciesista is a term used to describe prejudice or discrimination based on species membership. It suggests that individuals of a particular species are inherently superior to or more deserving of consideration than individuals of other species. This concept is often discussed in the context of animal rights and ethics, where it is argued that humans, as a dominant species, often exhibit speciesist attitudes towards non-human animals.

Proponents of anti-speciesism argue that attributing different moral value to beings solely based on their species is arbitrary and unjustifiable, much like racism or sexism. They contend that sentience, the capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively, should be the primary criterion for moral consideration. Therefore, if an animal is sentient, its interests, such as avoiding suffering, should be given weight comparable to similar interests of humans.

Speciesist viewpoints often manifest in various societal practices, including animal agriculture, experimentation, entertainment, and the pet trade. Critics of speciesism highlight the ethical inconsistencies in how different species are treated, pointing out that many animals are capable of complex emotions and social behaviors, yet their welfare is often disregarded. The philosophical underpinnings of speciesism are frequently debated in ethics, with thinkers like Peter Singer being prominent advocates for its abolition. The goal of anti-speciesism is to extend moral concern beyond the human species to include all sentient beings.