Can we see non-human animals are agents?
Author(s)
Advisor
Wringe, William GilesDate
2020-06Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
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Abstract
In this thesis, I investigate non-human animal agency and I question whether we can
see non-human animals are agents or not. I shall adopt a Moorean approach to animal
agency and argue that we can see animals are agents just as we can see human
agency because non-human animals are kind of entities that have the capacity for
agency. There is a close connection between rights and agency and agents have
inviolable rights that protect them. In order for animals to have rights, it is necessary
for them to be agents. I claim that a theory of animal rights needs a theory of animal
agency. Thus, the main argument is that we can in fact, see animals are agents which
implies that we can actually see animals are agents when we look at them, just like
we can see human agency.