As Jeremy Bentham had asked about animals well over two…
“As Jeremy Bentham had asked about animals well over two hundred years ago, the question was not whether they could reason or talk, but could they suffer? And yet, somehow, it seemed to take more imagination for humans to identify with animal suffering than it did to conceive of space flight or cloning or nuclear fusion. Yes, she was a fanatic in the eyes of most of the country. . .Mostly, however, she just lacked patience for people who wouldn't accept her belief that humans inflicted needless agony on the animals around them, and they did so in numbers that were absolutely staggering.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that recognizing animal suffering requires more imagination than many scientific feats, highlighting human moral blindness.
In simple terms: Seeing animal pain needs more imagination than tech advances.
Key Takeaway
Expand empathy toward all sentient beings.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
imagination
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
ethical
activist
When to use this quote
- activism
- dietary choices
- policy advocacy
- education programs
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
speciesism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we cultivate imagination for suffering?
- What barriers prevent empathy for animals?
A Different Perspective
Human self‑interest often blocks empathy.