Argues that debates about animal ethics draw on the linguistic resources of the prevailing culture Offers a compelling analysis of the religious shaping of contemporary animal discourse Uses primary sources to demonstrate the enduring influence of "nonconformist conscience" throughout time

Autorentext
Philip Sampson is a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, UK. His previous publications include Faith and Modernity (1997); Six Modern Myths (2001); and contributions to several edited volumes on animal ethics and philosophy.

Klappentext
This book explores the religious language of Nonconformity used in ethical debates about animals. It uncovers a rich stream of innovative discourse from the Puritans of the seventeenth century, through the Clapham Sect and Evangelical Revival, to the nineteenth century debates about vivisection. This discourse contributed to law reform and the foundation of the RSPCA, and continues to flavour the way we talk about animal welfare and animal rights today. Shaped by the "nonconformist conscience", it has been largely overlooked. The more common perception is that Christian dominion authorises the human exploitation of animals, while Enlightenment humanism and Darwinian thought are seen as drawing humans and animals together in one "family". This book challenges that perception, and proposes an alternative perspective. Through exploring the shaping of animal advocacy discourses by Biblical themes of creation, fall and restoration, this book reveals the continuing importance of the nonconformist conscience as a source to enrich animal ethics today. It will appeal to the animal studies community, theologians and early modern historians.

Inhalt
Chapter 1 - Speaking of animals.- Chapter 2 - Animals, language and ethics.- Chapter 3 - A modern story of animal advocacy.- Chapter 4 - Innovation and religious discourses.- Chapter 5 - Creation: what on earth are animals for?.- Chapter 6 - Fall: animal suffering and human agency.-Chapter 7 - Redemption:  hope, love and restoration.- Chapter 8 - A persistent language.- Chapter 9 - Nonconformist bricolage.- Index.