The Great Ape Project: Against animal slavery

[brandondedicant]

Some intriguing ideas in Paola Cavalieri and Peter Singer's project:

Aristotle refers to human slaves as 'animated property'. The phrase exactly describes the current status of nonhuman animals. Human slavery
therefore presents an enlightening parallel to this situation. We shall explore this parallel in order to single out a past response to human

Comments

[verginiamus]

Some of the animals are regarded as U.S. civil servants, and receive pensions. Not all, but for some arcane legal reason, they are more than property but less than human.

[brandondedicant]

Some of which animals? What animals get pensions? This is interesting.

[verginiamus]

The seals and dolphins used in navel tests and setting bombs are considered veterans. The two seals at the National Zoo also have received medals for their activities in the Navy. The dogs used in the Army are also considered veterans. These animals receive pensions when they are retired.

The apes and monkeys at NIH are considered civil servants, and receive health care and a small pension.

The chimps and dogs of the Space program also receive pensions and health care.

The rats, mice, and guinea pigs of NIH do not live long enough to receive pensions but are considered civil servants.

[brandondedicant]

Wow! I never would have thought that would be the case.