antispeciesists

Antispeciesism is a philosophical viewpoint that opposes speciesism, which is defined as discrimination based on species membership. Proponents of antispeciesism argue that sentient beings, regardless of their species, deserve equal moral consideration. They contend that attributing different moral worth to individuals based solely on their species is arbitrary and unjust, akin to racism or sexism.

The core argument of antispeciesism centers on sentience, the capacity to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively. If a being is capable of suffering or experiencing pleasure, antispeciesists believe that its interests should be taken into account. This perspective often draws parallels with abolitionist movements that fought against slavery and the women's suffrage movement, arguing that the expansion of moral consideration to previously excluded groups is a historical progression.

Antispeciesism advocates for the recognition of the fundamental rights of non-human animals, including the right to life and freedom from unnecessary suffering. This can translate into a call for veganism, the abolition of animal exploitation in industries such as food, clothing, and entertainment, and a general re-evaluation of humanity's relationship with other species. The term and its associated philosophy have gained traction within animal rights and animal liberation circles.