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Conclusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2023

Catia Faria
Affiliation:
Complutense University of Madrid
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Summary

It is commonly believed that our obligations toward other human beings are not restricted to abstaining from harming them. We should also prevent or alleviate harmful states of affairs for other individuals whenever it is in our power to do something about it. In animal ethics, however, the idea that we may have reasons not only to refrain from harming animals but also to help them is not particularly widespread. Of course, exceptions can be found regarding companion animals. Most people agree that failing to assist them would be wrong if we could otherwise help them. Most people give their companion animals veterinary care and believe such care should be extended to all captive animals. But what about all other animals in need, shouldn’t we also help them? Consider The Drowning Chimp case introduced at the beginning of this book. Do you have an obligation to save the chimp? Consider also the numerous rescues of animals trapped in the ice or the recent efforts of Australian authorities and communities to help kangaroos, camels, horses, koalas, alpacas, and many other animals caught in the flames to survive as well as the aerial distribution of food in the days following the fires. Isn’t that something that we ought to do?

Type
Chapter
Information
Animal Ethics in the Wild
Wild Animal Suffering and Intervention in Nature
, pp. 176 - 191
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • Conclusion
  • Catia Faria, Complutense University of Madrid
  • Book: Animal Ethics in the Wild
  • Online publication: 18 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009119948.010
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  • Conclusion
  • Catia Faria, Complutense University of Madrid
  • Book: Animal Ethics in the Wild
  • Online publication: 18 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009119948.010
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Conclusion
  • Catia Faria, Complutense University of Madrid
  • Book: Animal Ethics in the Wild
  • Online publication: 18 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009119948.010
Available formats
×