Animals as Persons: Essays on the Abolition of Animal Exploitation Paperback – November 19, 2009

Animals as Persons is a crucial book for those that wish to become vegan. I've already contacted Gary twice [if you have any questions to ask him as well, he has a blog called abolitionist approach], and he's politely answered two questions I had, being very precise and answering them in full.But, onto the book itself.Gary Francione is a lawyer and it shows well in this essay. Not only does he strike down many welfare arguments with precision, giving historical examples in human context, but references many thinkers of the modern animals welfare movement. Make no mistake, this book probably isn't for you if you're not already vegan, vegetarian, or at the least, on the fence of this issue. Each essay answers numerous objections welfarists may have to the abolition movement, as well as quandaries vegans may personally have about the abolitionist approach. In essence, this book is more less objections to the modern animal rights activists. Those that follow the similar minds theory, or other animal rights activist that share similar views to Gary, but not quite. This is also not to say he by any means ever attacks anyone personally. He always goes for a calm, rational approach and explains the problems with the approaches.Each essay talks about a slightly different issue, from sentience, to the new welfarism, to responses to criticisms from his other books, and so on.What's more, the essays are highly quotable not only in response for new welfarists, but omnivores as well. It's a great book that can give you educated retorts to common objections to those that claim we have the right to eat animals. Here's one in particular I am fond of, as the cognitive minds argument comes up every so often for omnivores:"Any attempt to justify treating animals as resources based on their lack of cognitive characteristics claimed to be uniquely human begs the question from the outset by assuming that certain human characteristics are "special" and justify different treatment. Although there are thing that only humans can do (although not all humans may be able to do them), there are things that only nonhumans can do. Humans alone may be able to write symphonies, do calculus, or recognize themselves in mirrors, but only nonhumans can fly or breathe underwater without assistance. What makes our characteristics special is, of course, we say so."-Gary L. Francione, Animals as Persons.Though that quote doesn't cover the entirety of the argument and out of context it's slightly butchered in it's beauty, but it's one of the many juicy paragraphs Gary provides in his essays.That said, there are one or two shortcomings: first, Gary tends to refer to the same quotes or even directly copy pastes himself a few times. This isn't a bad thing inherently, since the essays WERE written years apart [to my understanding] however, if you go through this book in a week like I did, you'll get a bit of deja vu. This is a shortcoming that probably could have been avoided with some editing, however, when a quote is good, you wanna use it. This isn't a total negative, but I got weary after reading 'can they suffer' quote for the fourth or fifth time. Not Gary fault directly, but it detracted from my personal experience.Secondly, Gary doesn't [to my understanding] directly say HOW to take the abolitionist approach. Best to my understanding, he'd rely on public and consumer influence. Get a few friends to go vegan abolitionist and they rest is history. However this was said rather indirectly and only once; compared to the exhaustive lengths he went to disprove the welfarist, this felt unsatisfying and I felt he could've answered this question better.Despite that initial complaint that makes the book lose a star, it's an extremely concise and well written book. It regards questions vegans may have that are a bit uncomfortable if you're a nonspeiciesist [such as the burning house example].Gary is a man the animal rights activists should follow [funnily enough today [7/22/2014] he posted a blog saying he didn't want followers] by example.Animal exploitation is unnecessary. If you wanna be nonviolent, go vegan. If you want to be a true environmentalist, go vegan. If you think killing an animal unnecessarily is wrong, go vegan. Gary will not waver from this spot. After reading his book, neither will I.

A great read for anyone with an interest in animal rights, in particular Francione's abolitionist philosophy. Being a collection of essays, a lot of the points are covered multiple times in slightly different contexts, which really brings out the coherence and consistency of the abolitionist position. ie For those who might have doubted a point when framed a certain way, in the next section the same point is made in a different way, confirming that Francione was right to take that position all along.Lost a single star only because I believe it might be slightly academic and too overwhelming for people who are brand new to animal rights issues. As such, I probably wouldn't recommend it as a first introductory book to get someone interested in animal rights. I think it's more for people who are already into the issues and want a deep overview of Francione's philosophy.

This book discusses a very important topic, and has some interesting ethical discussions, but does not build up a theoretical justification for its main argument. Instead, it just repeats the conclusion over and over (paraphrasing):"If you are serious about animal rights, then you must support the abolition of animal-use for sentient animals."Assuming you already agree with the conclusion, you may enjoy the discussions on why various strategies for animal welfare are counter-productive to abolition of animal-use. As someone who is still trying to figure things out, I did not find it very helpful.

A great book by a genuine vegan animal advocate , living example for a compassionate life and ethical diet. The very fact that the writer took a vegan commitment for life , gives high credit to a profound analytic book where the major principles regarding animal rights are explained in a revealing way that many of all us didnt think was possible to realize. Animals are equo then humans, the differences are peculiar characteristics we shall embrace, observe with interests and learning enthusiasm, finally ...love.Under these highly moral and refined principles, the harsh reality about animal exploitation and cruelty, starts to show the horror that we have the duty to fight and change, by all mean.

In depth discussion and evidence based importance of treating animals as an intelligent sentient beings with respect and dignity they deserve.

When it comes to Animal Rights, nobody has sounder logic than Prof. Francione. Each one of his books is a must-read for anyone who considers themselves to be animal lovers and sticklers to justice.

Excellent as always, I highly recommend this book, and books written by Professor Francione. He has inspired me to educate others on going vegan, and armed me with a wealth of knowledge to explain to others the reasons behind going vegan.

One of two most intelligent approaches to eliminating cruelty and killing of animals for food. The other is The World Peace Diet by will Tuttle, PhD. Also, Francione's small book Eat Like You Care is a must read.

Bought this as a gift for my mum who really rates professor Francione.This book is a collection of essays which argue the personhood of non-human animals. Gary L Francione has the amazing ability to shake us out of our ignorance and comfort zones, not with horror stories but with theories that make us examine our own humanity and moral values. He can really make us think outside the regurgitated untruths that we have all been hypnotised with.He exposes the harmful flaws of animal welfare reforms and shows that animal rights is about the abolition of animal use, exploitation and injustice NOT the regulation of animal treatment. The moral baseline of the animal rights movement is veganism. And veganism is, quite simply, nonviolence.This book is a must for all thinking people. It should be a compulsory read on all school curriculums.

With clarity, consistency and without any compromise, Gary L. Francione sets out to raise the status of animals. Where others have accorded humans some special trait or other, which we in no certain terms have, Francione demands sentience -- a means to the end of continued existence -- is not only necessary but sufficient to be accorded the right not to be treated as property.I have long been interested in philosophy, especially ethics and epistemology, but I've always been surprised at the lack of lucidity in philosophers' argument. Accordingly, I have somewhat understood people's aversions against reading philosophy. Apparently, questions of right and wrong are better answered by law professors, especially after having taken the stance that, "Yes, the world does, for all intents and purposes, exist to me as I perceive it."Thank you, Prof. Francione!