EPISODE · Nov 6, 2022 · 9 MIN
504: Pet Ethics
from Philosophy Talk Starters · host Philosophy Talk Starters
More at www.philosophytalk.org/shows/pet-ethics. Many of us, even the staunchest animal activists, usually take it for granted that keeping a pet is morally acceptable. But regardless of how well we treat our animal “companions,” by keeping pets we are declaring ownership and paternal authority over other living creatures, and confining them to our homes. Is there any good moral justification for the keeping of pets? What makes some, if any, animals suitable as pets but not others? Do we have a special obligation to animal companions that does not extend to other animals? The Philosophers fetch Gary Varner from Texas A&M University, author of "Personhood, Ethics, and Animal Cognition."
What this episode covers
More at www.philosophytalk.org/shows/pet-ethics. Many of us, even the staunchest animal activists, usually take it for granted that keeping a pet is morally acceptable. But regardless of how well we treat our animal “companions,” by keeping pets we are declaring ownership and paternal authority over other living creatures, and confining them to our homes. Is there any good moral justification for the keeping of pets? What makes some, if any, animals suitable as pets but not others? Do we have a special obligation to animal companions that does not extend to other animals? The Philosophers fetch Gary Varner from Texas A&M University, author of "Personhood, Ethics, and Animal Cognition."
NOW PLAYING
504: Pet Ethics
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Feb 8, 2026 ·4m
Jan 30, 2026 ·6m
Dec 15, 2025 ·2m
Nov 30, 2025 ·5m
Oct 26, 2025 ·14m
Oct 26, 2025 ·61m