Criticism Of Singer's Utilitarian Animal Rights Theory: From Criticism Of Species To The Constructıon Of Intra-Species Hierarchy

Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu

Article Details

Criticism Of Singer's Utilitarian Animal Rights Theory: From Criticism Of Species To The Constructıon Of Intra-Species Hierarchy

Authors:

Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

Hayvan Hakları | Siyasal Teori ve Siyaset Felsefesi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue 2, pp.727-738

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001350686

pISSN:

1302-1265

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Abstract The subject of animals rights has received increasing attention in the field of philosophy and social sciences in recent years. In this context, Peter Singer stands out as one of the important names of the Animal Rights philosophy and struggle, which is getting stronger today. He had serious effects in strengthening the problem on philosophical grounds and making it widespread. Speaking from the utilitarian tradition, Singer argues that animals are sentient beings, just like humans, are aware of their interests, and therefore should have equal rights with humans. Singer, who describes and criticizes criteria such as having reason, having the ability to use language, and having the ability to sign a social contract in order to have moral status, as arbitrary, states that interests should be given equal importance, but this equality does not include absolute equality and should be implemented within the framework of the principle of benefit. Although Singers approach has had a strong impact both on a philosophical level and in terms of activism, it has also been criticized from various perspectives. This study is also within the scope of a criticism of Singers views.

 Abstract The subject of animals rights has received increasing attention in the field of philosophy and social sciences in recent years. In this context, Peter Singer stands out as one of the important names of the Animal Rights philosophy and struggle, which is getting stronger today. He had serious effects in strengthening the problem on philosophical grounds and making it widespread. Speaking from the utilitarian tradition, Singer argues that animals are sentient beings, just like humans, are aware of their interests, and therefore should have equal rights with humans. Singer, who describes and criticizes criteria such as having reason, having the ability to use language, and having the ability to sign a social contract in order to have moral status, as arbitrary, states that interests should be given equal importance, but this equality does not include absolute equality and should be implemented within the framework of the principle of benefit. Although Singers approach has had a strong impact both on a philosophical level and in terms of activism, it has also been criticized from various perspectives. This study is also within the scope of a criticism of Singers views.

 Abstract The subject of animals rights has received increasing attention in the field of philosophy and social sciences in recent years. In this context, Peter Singer stands out as one of the important names of the Animal Rights philosophy and struggle, which is getting stronger today. He had serious effects in strengthening the problem on philosophical grounds and making it widespread. Speaking from the utilitarian tradition, Singer argues that animals are sentient beings, just like humans, are aware of their interests, and therefore should have equal rights with humans. Singer, who describes and criticizes criteria such as having reason, having the ability to use language, and having the ability to sign a social contract in order to have moral status, as arbitrary, states that interests should be given equal importance, but this equality does not include absolute equality and should be implemented within the framework of the principle of benefit. Although Singers approach has had a strong impact both on a philosophical level and in terms of activism, it has also been criticized from various perspectives. This study is also within the scope of a criticism of Singers views.

 Hayvan hakları konusu son yıllarda felsefe ve sosyal bilimler alanında gittikçe artan bir ilgiye mazhar olmaktadır. Bu bağlamda Peter Singer, günümüzde gün geçtikçe güçlenen Hayvan Hakları felsefesinin ve mücadelesinin önemli isimlerinden birisi olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Problemin felsefi zeminde güçlenmesi ve yaygınlık kazanmasında oldukça ciddi etkileri olmuştur. Faydacı ahlak geleneği içerisinden konuşan Singer, hayvanların tıpkı insanlar gibi hissedebilen varlıklar olduğunu, çıkarlarının farkında olduğunu, dolayısıyla insanlar ile eşit haklara sahip olması gerektiğini savunmaktadır. Ahlaki statü sahibi olmak için akıl sahibi olma, dil kullanma yetisine sahip olma, toplumsal sözleşme imzalama yetisine sahip olma gibi kriterleri keyfi olmakla niteleyen ve eleştiren Singer, çıkarların eşit önemsenmesi gerektiğini ancak bu eşitliğin mutlak eşitlik içermediğini, fayda ilkesi çerçevesinde uygulanması gerektiğini ifade etmektedir. Singerın bu yaklaşımı hem felsefi düzeyde hem de aktivizm anlamında güçlü bir etki yaratmış olsa da çeşitli açılardan da eleştirilmiştir. Bu çalışma da Singerın görüşlerinin bir eleştirisi kapsamındadır.

Article Details

Criticism Of Singer's Utilitarian Animal Rights Theory: From Criticism Of Species To The Constructıon Of Intra-Species Hierarchy

Authors:

Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

Hayvan Hakları | Siyasal Teori ve Siyaset Felsefesi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue 2, pp.727-738

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001350686

pISSN:

1302-1265

Singer

Utilitarianism

Animal Rights

Animal Liberation

SpeciesismPeter Singer

Faydacılık

Hayvan Hakları

Hayvan Özgürleşmesi

Türcülük

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu

Publisher: Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics: Hayvan Hakları | Siyasal Teori ve Siyaset Felsefesi

Journal: Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue 2, pp.727-738

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001350686

pISSN: 1302-1265

Issues

Authors:

Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

Hayvan Hakları | Siyasal Teori ve Siyaset Felsefesi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue 2, pp.727-738

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001350686

pISSN:

1302-1265