The Breath of Empathy: Philosophy of Animal Rights

Author's edition, 2017 (Forthcoming)

SYNOPSYS:

My book is different from various other writings on this subject since it offers concrete solutions to the problems presented. And in a unconventional way it will be free from the burden of tradition, a tradition who's terminology has been both heavy and vague. To a greater or lesser extent, throughout history, many thinkers and their teachings has shown concern for the suffering of animals. Most of the time however, their thinking remained just that, on a theoretical level only (with a few exceptions). Following generations just reinforced these "theories without practice", deepening them... Not until the 1970's were there some active participation between thought and action regarding animal rights. This book will reveal all those historical and problematic moments and provide guidelines as to not repeat them. Also, the book will deal with the ethical, environmental and economical problems we are all facing, how this is in fact directly linked and entwined with our society's past and current treatment of animals. Each of us has the ability (with acquired and learned knowledge) to change the environment and the world we live in, to be an active builder of our future and the future of the Earth.

I feel that the strive for ending animal exploitation is still in its very beginning. It requires the expansion of moral horizons, and will archieve success only when people arrive at a true understanding of the greater value of animals - one that is not based on exploitation, or usability; a limited human perception - but one which depends on the understanding of the fundamental unity of all life.

CONTENT:

PROLOGUE

      Animal protection – Human protection

First Chapter

TERMINOLOGY POINT OF VIEW   

      Animal rights as a moral requirement

      Position in the general scientific, ethical and socio-political environment

      A new vision of old values  –  consciousness and conscience

Second Chapter

MYTH AND FACTS

      Common practice and the habit of extermination

      The utopian image of farming

      Companion animals and breeding

      The industry of food

      Skin and fur

      Wool and silk

      Animals and entertainment

      Experiments on animals versus human health

      Murder as sport: hunting and fishing

      The mythmaking consciousness of the consumer 

      Predestination or fear of the unfamiliar?

The Third Chapter

ARE ANIMALS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN RIGHTS?

      Difficulty achieving  rights of non-human animals

      The difference between rights and welfare

      Animals are not things

      Brothers and sisters and the basic needs

      Equality and its implications

The Fourth Chapter

THE SMOKESCREEN OF REALITY

      Maintaining a tadition - the illusion of necessary

      The ritual and the sacrifice

      The resentment of the alternative

      The creation of uniformity

      Profit as motivation

The Fifth Chapter

SPECIESISM AND LANGUAGE    

      New definition of old habits

      A Terminology of euphemisms

      The truth is, however, apparent

The Sixth Chapter

MILLENNIAL STATUS QUO

      Theoretical decadent and the past – why they failed

      Thinking - saying - doing, three in one

      Criticism of previous conventions – old ideas and new trends

      Non-governmental organizations and political parties – theory in practice

The Seventh Chapter

THE FOUNDATION OF MORALITY IN SUBJECTIVE ETHICS

      Bioethics today: from cloning to organic production

      Action and reaction on personal example

      The principle of non-violence – the act of responsibility towards all beings

The Eight Chapter

THE SHIFTS OF SELF-AWARENESS

      8.a.      First step: becoming a vegetarian

      8.b.      Second step: becoming a vegan

      8.c.      Third step: becoming an activist

The Ninth Chapter

BREAKTHROUGH IN PROGRESS

      Benefits of awakening

      Educational and pedagogical activities

      At the threshold of an ethical and constructive revolution

      Animal rights as a means to save the planet and create peace in the world

The Tenth Chapter

ANTHROPOCENTRISM OR PANTHEISM?  

      Human dominion – a matter or choice?

      Anima Mundi – everything has a soul

      Intuitive sense of love and unity

EPILOGUE

      Return to the natural state – the original empathy and all-encompassing love

APPENDIX

      Key terms

      The answer to the inevitable question everyday

      Bibliography

      Webography

      Filmography

            Audiography

Author: Maja Vučković

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