The right of animals to cities

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/2965-1557.035.e202330416

Abstract

The debate about the human-animal relationship has been growing since the 1970s, especially including an approach to speciesism and animal rights. However, it is necessary to consider that the human-animal relationship in societies is quite different, according to the type of society and according to the type of animal we are talking about and, for an ethical reflection on this relationship, it is relevant take as a starting point, not only the moral status of animals, but it is necessary to consider the anthropological, psychological and sociological aspects underlying it. It is observed that there is a great lack of approach in relation to certain animals, specifically in relation to those that inhabit, together with humans, urban centers, although they are not domesticated, that is, those that can be called “our neighbors” in the cities. These urban animals are close to us in cities, very neglected in the moral debate and often massacred in policies and practices, including extermination practices imposed on them. The objective of this article is to present the elements that contribute to the moral invisibility of this group of animals, as well as to demonstrate that the change in treatment destined to these animals, not only represents the fair expansion of the moral scope, but also has a strategic value, the from which the due change of perspective announced by animal and environmental ethics may occur. After all, we need to seriously consider the impact of our actions, both in relation to the great social injustice that affects humans and non-humans, as well as in relation to the ongoing environmental destruction and the great suffering generated.

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Author Biography

Rita Leal Paixão, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Possui graduação em Medicina Veterinária pela Universidade Federal Fluminense (1989), graduação em Filosofia pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (2013), mestrado em Medicina Veterinária (Patologia Veterinária) pela Universidade Federal Fluminense (1994), mestrado em Ciência Ambiental pela Universidade Federal Fluminense (2000) e doutorado em Saúde Pública pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (2001). É professora da Universidade Federal Fluminense desde 1990. Atuou como Diretora do Instituto Biomédico da Universidade Federal Fluminense de 2007 a 2015 e como membro da Comissão de Ética, Bioética e Bem-estar animal do Conselho Federal de Medicina Veterinária de 2007 a 2014. É membro fundadora e foi da diretoria da Sociedade Brasileira de Bioética - regional RJ. Atualmente é professora titular na Universidade Federal Fluminense e atua no programa de pós-graduação em Bioética, Ética Aplicada e Saude Coletiva ( PPGBIOS- UFF, UFRJ, FIOCRUZ, UERJ), como orientadora de mestrado e doutorado.

Published

2023-10-20

How to Cite

Paixão, R. L. (2023). The right of animals to cities. Revista De Filosofia Aurora, 35. https://doi.org/10.1590/2965-1557.035.e202330416

Issue

Section

Animal rights: ethics, sentience and the end of anthropocentrism