Introduction: The Ethics of Control

Abstract

This section introduction categorizes various forms of exercise of control over animals, ranging from control that might be exercised over an animal for his or her own interests to exercise of control that results in that animal’s annihilation. It discusses whether control should be exercised when human interests and animal interests conflict. The rightness or wrongness of human actions related to control over animals is best understood as a question of ethics, because existing legal and social structures are quite permissive of human use of animals, even when that use will harm animals or interfere with animals’ self-interests. Animals have their own self-interests, separate from human interests, and human beings can discern at least some of those interests. The essays in this section address the ethics of control. These essays both inform readers about specific factual issues and provide a foundation upon which readers can build their own efforts to end unethical forms of control over animals.