What Is Speciesism?

Oscar Horta

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual framework to examine the question of speciesism. It starts by defining speciesism as the unjustified unfavorable consideration or treatment of those who are not classified as belonging to a certain species. It then clarifies some common misunderstandings abour what speciesism is and is not. Next, it argues against the confusion between (1) the different ways in which speciesism can be defended; and (2) the different positions that assume speciesism among their premises. Depending on whether or not these views accept other criteria for moral consideration apart from speciesism, they can be characterized as combined or simple speciesist positions. But speciesism remains in all cases the same idea. Finally, the paper examines the concept of anthropocentrism, which is defined as the disadvantageous treatment or consideration of those who are not members of the human species. This notion must be conceptually distinguished from speciesism and from misothery (aversion to nonhuman animals). However, it can be claimed that anthropocentrism is an instance of speciesism, in light of what the argument from species overlap and the argument from relevance, among others, state.