Animal Wellfare and Protection in the Deontological and Utilitarian Perspective – A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Efforts to protect the welfare and rights of enslaved Africans and women throughout the world are significant in the development of human civilization. Benefits of these efforts, which have a long history, are now widely enjoyed. One such recent effort is aimed at protecting the welfare and rights of animals. Various philosophical attributes have historically contributed to the attitude that animals are intended as human property and commodities for consumption. These theories are also expressions of ideas that have been embedded in the human subconscious through its long historical development. At the same time, thoughts for the welfare and protection of animals also have been expressed by philosophers themselves. Among these are Deontological theory put forward by Immanuel Kant and Utilitarianism put forward by Jeremy Bentham and J.S. Mill are more prominent. These are two different views; the first suggests that animals are natural resources for human consumption, and the second suggests animals have the right to free life without human intervention. In this background, this study aims to examine the viable activities that humans can undertake in contemporary animal welfare in the guise of theories on how to reach a possible common ground between these two contradictory positions. The issue under scrutiny here lies in how it is possible for humans to advance their interests and undermine the interests of animals. This research is a qualitative one that use secondary data. This research intends to know the religious concepts that protect the welfare of animals, concepts promote the use of animals as commodities and consumer goods, and possible activities that could be developed from the religious teachings to protect the welfare and rights of animal