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Recognizing animal personhood in compassionate conservation
Author(s) -
Wallach Arian D.,
Batavia Chelsea,
Bekoff Marc,
Alexander Shelley,
Baker Liv,
BenAmi Dror,
Boronyak Louise,
Cardilin Adam P. A.,
Carmel Yohay,
Celermajer Danielle,
Coghlan Simon,
Dahdal Yara,
Gomez Jonatan J.,
Kaplan Gisela,
Keynan Oded,
Khalilieh Anton,
Kopnina Helen,
Lynn William S.,
Narayanan Yamini,
Riley Sophie,
SantiagoÁvila Francisco J.,
Yanco Esty,
Zemanova Miriam A.,
Ramp Daniel
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1111/cobi.13494
Subject(s) - personhood , environmental ethics , argument (complex analysis) , absurdity , compassion , sociology , anthropocentrism , conservation psychology , epistemology , political science , biodiversity , ecology , philosophy , law , biology , biochemistry
Abstract Compassionate conservation is based on the ethical position that actions taken to protect biodiversity should be guided by compassion for all sentient beings. Critics argue that there are 3 core reasons harming animals is acceptable in conservation programs: the primary purpose of conservation is biodiversity protection; conservation is already compassionate to animals; and conservation should prioritize compassion to humans. We used argument analysis to clarify the values and logics underlying the debate around compassionate conservation. We found that objections to compassionate conservation are expressions of human exceptionalism, the view that humans are of a categorically separate and higher moral status than all other species. In contrast, compassionate conservationists believe that conservation should expand its moral community by recognizing all sentient beings as persons. Personhood, in an ethical sense, implies the individual is owed respect and should not be treated merely as a means to other ends. On scientific and ethical grounds, there are good reasons to extend personhood to sentient animals, particularly in conservation. The moral exclusion or subordination of members of other species legitimates the ongoing manipulation and exploitation of the living worlds, the very reason conservation was needed in the first place. Embracing compassion can help dismantle human exceptionalism, recognize nonhuman personhood, and navigate a more expansive moral space.