On Meaning

Nussbaum highlights three essential virtues in thinking about animals: wonder, which draws our attention to the value of animals; compassion, which alerts us to suffering; and outrage without the desire for retribution, which motivates us to improve the world.

If we say that birdsong and whalesong indicate that birds and whales are valuable because they sing just like humans do, then we miss the opportunity to appreciate birdsong and whalesong as unique forms of art created by minds that are very different from our own.

To some extent, it doesn’t matter what reason a person has to help animals as long as they help. But I think that wonder can provide a more robust motivation for animal advocacy. If we are simply concerned about suffering, then the enormity of the injustice done to animals (companion animals, research animals, farmed animals, wild animals) can lead... See more

the Capabilities Approach emphasizes the needs of members of each indi -vidual species to exercise their typical species capabilities. An elephant must have the capa -bility to travel through a range thousands of miles wide; this ability is of no use to a house cat. Dolphins must be able to form social groups; polar bears have no such requirement.... See more

The primary distinction, I think, is one of attitude. The virtue of the utilitarian is com -passion. The utilitarian grieves the suffering of (say) a lonely and isolated dolphin, calling out for podmates who aren’t there. The virtue of the follower of the Capabilities Approach is wonder. The follower of the Capabilities Approach has a deep respect... See more