The course examines animal rights theory from philosophical, legal, and ethical perspectives, exploring the historical transformation of human-animal relationships. It analyzes key theories such as natural law, utilitarianism, rights-based approaches, and abolitionist theory. Discussions focus on anthropocentrism, ethical responsibilities, the legal status of animals, and representation models. The course explores the perspectives of thinkers such as Bentham, Singer, Regan, Francione, and Nussbaum. It also evaluates the relationship between animal rights and theories of justice, global perspectives, and legal developments in Turkey. |
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Week |
Subject |
Related Preparation |
1) |
• Overview of the course scope and structure
• Explanation of the course plan and chosen topics
• Discussion of course objectives and learning outcomes
• Introduction to course requirements, including assignments, exams, and participation expectations
• Brief introduction to the concept of animal rights and its significance
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2) |
• Basic terminology and conceptual framework
• What is animal theory?
• Historical transformation of human-animal relations
• The emergence of modern animal rights movement
• Animals in Classical Thought
o Animal perception in Ancient Greece (Aristotle, Plutarch)
o Medieval thought and animals
o Cartesian dualism and pre-modern discussions
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3) |
• Understanding the concept of anthropocentrism
• Historical and cultural roots of anthropocentric thinking
• Critiques of anthropocentrism in modern thought
• Anthropocentrism and its implications for environmental ethics and animal rights
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4) |
• Classical utilitarianism and animals (Bentham, Mill)
• Peter Singer and “Animal Liberation”
• Contemporary utilitarian approaches
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5) |
• Tom Regan and "subject-of-a-life" theory
• Bernard Rollin's rights theory and Kantian foundation
• Universal fundamental rights discussion
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6) |
• Gary Francione and critique of “animal property”
• “Vegan Revolution” discussion
• Practical implications of abolitionist approach
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7) |
• Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach
• How care ethics and other relationship-based moral frameworks offer different insights into human-animal relationships
• Kantian approach to animal ethics
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8) |
• Subject/object dichotomy in legal theory
• Concept of legal personhood and animals
• New approaches in contemporary legal theory
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9) |
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10) |
• Guardianship models
• Powers and limits of representation
• Comparative law examples
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11) |
• Theoretical foundations of welfare and rights paradigms
• Legal implications of both approaches
• Comparative analysis of protection models
• Hybrid approaches and new perspectives
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12) |
• Animals in theories of justice
• Distributive justice and animal rights
• Animal rights from global justice perspective
• Citizenship and constitutional debates
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13) |
• Legislative analysis
• Scientific research and ethical dimension
• Legal framework of industrial farming
• Regulations regarding wild animals
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14) |
• Protection of companion animals
• Stray animals and policy
• Judicial developments and case law analysis
• Strategic litigation management
• Legal activism and roadmap
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Course Notes: |
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References: |
● Singer, Peter. Animal Liberation Now: The Definitive Classic Renewed. New York: Harper Perennial, 2023.
● Regan, Tom. The Case for Animal Rights. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004.
● Francione, Gary L. Animals, Property, and the Law. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995.
● Donaldson, Sue, and Will Kymlicka. Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
● Sunstein, Cass R., and Martha C. Nussbaum, eds. Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
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