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Animal Quote by Francione, Gary L

“In sum, reliance on cognitive characteristics beyond sentience to justify the use of nonhumans in experiments requires either that we assume that these characteristics are morally relevant or that we ignore the fact that we do not regard the lack of such characteristics as morally relevant where…” quote by Francione, Gary L
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““In sum, reliance on cognitive characteristics beyond sentience to justify the use of nonhumans in experiments requires either that we assume that these characteristics are morally relevant or that we ignore the fact that we do not regard the lack of such characteristics as morally relevant where humans are concerned. We are left with one and only one reason to explain our differential treatment of animals: We are human and they are not, and species difference alone justifies differential treatment. But this criterion is entirely arbitrary and no different from maintaining that, although there is no special characteristic possessed only by whites, or no defect possessed by blacks that is not also possessed by whites, we may treat blacks as inferior to whites merely on the basis of race. It is also no different from saying that, although there is no special characteristic possessed only by men or no defect possessed only by women, we may treat women as inferior to men based merely on sex.””

Francione, Gary L

About This Quote

Source Book: Animals, Property, and the Law, 1995

The argument claims that treating animals differently from humans is based solely on species, which is an arbitrary moral justification similar to racism or sexism.

In simple terms: Speciesism is an unjustified bias like race or gender discrimination.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and challenge species-based bias.

Themes

ethics animal rights justice philosophy

Mood

critical reflective

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • animal research
  • policy making
  • public debate
  • education
  • advocacy

Key Concepts

speciesism moral relevance discrimination

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is species the only relevant moral criterion?
  • How can we develop non‑speciesist ethical frameworks?
A Different Perspective

The claim assumes moral relevance of non‑sentient traits without evidence.

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