The day may come when the rest of the animal creation may acquire those rights which never could have been withholden from them but by the hand of tyranny. The French have already discovered that the blackness of the skin is no reason why a human being should be abandoned without redress to the caprice of a tormentor. It may come one day to be recognized, that the number of the legs, the villosity of the skin, or the termination of the os sacrum, are reasons equally insufficient for abandoning a sensitive being to the same fate. What else is it that should trace the insuperable line? The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?

Utilitarianism founder

Share:

Details

Context

Arguing for the moral consideration of animals based on their capacity to suffer, comparing their treatment to that of slaves.

Date / Period

1789

Category

Shocking

Source

https://www.utilitarianism.com/jeremy-bentham.html

Verification

Unverifiable

Explanation

Found in 1 providers: gemini

Method

Cross Reference

Sources Checked

1 source

Get This Quote on Merchandise

Premium quality, printed on demand. Ships worldwide.

Don't see what you're looking for? Email us for custom products