Animals, Slavery and the Law (Compilation)
Steve Wise, Gary Francione and Peter Singer explain the connections between animals, slavery and the law.
-
-
The Story of James Somerset
“Lord Mansfield…set up a series of trial dates for them to decide whether Charles Steuart had the right to sell [James Somerset], or whether James Somerset had the right not to be sold. In one of the most famous trials…Lord Mansfield…issued his opinion that slavery was so odious that the common law would not support it.” Steve Wise
-
Abolition Versus Regulation
“Just as in the 19th century, there was a real schism between abolitionists of slavery and people who wanted to make slavery more humane…The abolitionists said, Look, I’m not interested in making an unjust institution more humane. I’m interested in abolishing the institution.” Gary Francione
-
Consequence of Being Property
“If you have a chimpanzee, you bought it, you legally own it, you don’t want it anymore, there’s really nothing to stop you killing it. So, in that sense they really are like slaves.” Peter Singer
-
Zeitgeist
“When society was in a position to accept the idea that slavery was morally wrong and ought to be legally wrong, then the law began to shift.” Steve Wise
-
Resolving Conflicts: Property Owners Versus Property
“There were lots of laws that protected slaves. They didn’t provide any…meaningful protection for slaves because in every situation in which there was a conflict, you’ve got to figure out whose interests matter more: the interest of the property owner or the interest of the property?” Gary Francione
-
Obstacles to Fundamental Change
“Each person within their own psyche has to begin grappling with whether or not nonhuman animals should no longer be treated as slaves, or should they be treated as slaves?” Steve Wise
-
An Uncomfortable Idea
“We used to enslave human beings, now we enslave nonhuman beings in very similar ways. It’s only a comfortable thing if you don’t think about it.” Steve Wise
