The author argues many groups of animals are especially vulnerable and therefore deserve special protection.
From Biodiversity-Based Conservation to an Ethic of Bio-Proportionality
Thus, models of conservation that focus only on biodiversity are based in an underlying anthropocentrism.
Wild Animal Ethics: A Freedom-Based Approach
The author objects to this argument on the grounds that respecting the freedom of wild animals still gives us reason to intervene in their lives to free them of control-undermining factors and enrich their choices.
Assisting Wild Animals Vulnerable to Climate Change: Why Ethical Strategies Diverge
However, the author argues that ethicists will disagree on the best strategy for protecting wild animals [from the impacts of climate change], depending on if the primary concern is on justice or maximizing welfare.
Bridging Compassion and Justice in Conservation Ethics
The authors propose MJ [multispecies justice] as a system of baseline duties to others. They conclude that a comprehensive conservation ethic should promote an ethics of care with a focus on the interests of animals.
Quantifying the Valuation of Animal Welfare Among Americans
This study surveyed 502 Americans to quantify their preferences about farming methods and the suffering imposed on different species. Using respondent data, the authors created a species-adjusted measure of suffering-years (SAMYs).
Wild Animal Suffering is Intractable
The authors argue that we don’t know enough about the nature of ecosystems and how animal suffering arises to believe that efforts to reduce WAS would be successful.
Mentalizing Animals: Implications for Moral Psychology and Animal Ethics
The descriptive thesis uses recent empirical research to argue that phenomenal mental states (e.g., pain, happiness, etc.) are the primary factor causing one to judge an animal as morally considerable.
The Inefficacy Objection and New Ethical Veganism
The author instead advocates for “new ethical veganism” with the view that it is good to be vegan, while leaving open whether or not it is obligatory.