Short description:

In two parts, this open access work offers a broad and often unconventional approach to animal ethics, written by a pioneer in animal welfare science and ethics. The author Clive Phillips, Australia's first professor of animal welfare, first describes his life experience and career in the field, which enabled him to provide thoughts and possible solutions to some of the key problems in human-animal relations following in section two.  

His memoirs describe a journey from privileged upbringing in the Christian tradition to confronting Australian livestock industries with some of their traditional practices. Experiences meeting livestock farmers, industry supporters and national representative bodies taught him new approaches to the ways in which we manage animals. After building one of the largest animal welfare centers worldwide, Clive Phillips retired and pursues his animal welfare mission independently.  

The second part introduces novel aspects that evolved with the author over several decades of involvement in animal welfare science. This part takes a wide perspective, asking how important and unique our animal kingdom is, how did it evolve and why, and what are the key issues for our treatment of other animals? It concludes by considering our future relationship with animals and how this will change with current developments in society and in particular contemporary attitudes toward the consumption of animals.  

This historical and futuristic look at animal ethics is unique, making this book a thought provoking read for all interested. The audience includes, but is not limited to, the areas of veterinary science, ethics and welfare, animal industries, universities and philosophy departments.

Long description:

In two parts, this open access work offers a broad and often unconventional approach to animal ethics, written by a pioneer in animal welfare science and ethics. The author Clive Phillips, Australia's first professor of animal welfare, first describes his life experience and career in the field, which enabled him to provide thoughts and possible solutions to some of the key problems in human-animal relations following in section two.  

His memoirs describe a journey from privileged upbringing in the Christian tradition to confronting Australian livestock industries with some of their traditional practices. Experiences meeting livestock farmers, industry supporters and national representative bodies taught him new approaches to the ways in which we manage animals. After building one of the largest animal welfare centers worldwide, Clive Phillips retired and pursues his animal welfare mission independently.  

The second part introduces novel aspects that evolved with the author over several decades of involvement in animal welfare science. This part takes a wide perspective, asking how important and unique our animal kingdom is, how did it evolve and why, and what are the key issues for our treatment of other animals? It concludes by considering our future relationship with animals and how this will change with current developments in society and in particular contemporary attitudes toward the consumption of animals.  

This historical and futuristic look at animal ethics is unique, making this book a thought provoking read for all interested. The audience includes, but is not limited to, the areas of veterinary science, ethics and welfare, animal industries, universities and philosophy departments.

Table of Contents:

Part I. A Life Learning about Animals.- Chapter 1. Born with a Silver Spoon.- Chapter 2. Reading Agriculture.- Chapter 3. Studying ‘til the cows come home’.- Chapter 4. First Steps in Teaching Animals.- Chapter 5. Cambridge Days.- Chapter 6. Australia’s First Professor of Animal Welfare.- Chapter 7. Leaving the University of Queensland.- Chapter 8. Liberated.- Part II. Towards an Ethical Approach to Animals.- Chapter 9. Are Animals Alone in the Universe?.- Chapter 10. Are Humans Unique in Earth’s Animal Kingdom?.- Chapter 11. Our Relationship with Animals.- Chapter 12. Governing Society for the Benefit of Animals.- Chapter 13. Cruelty.- Chapter 14. Healthy Animals.- Chapter 15. Where Have All the Animals Gone?.- Chapter 16. How Can We Get There? Achieving an Ethical Approach to Animals.