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Seeing the Animal: On the Ethical Implications of De-animalization in Intensive Animal Production Systems

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Abstract

This article discusses the notion that the invisibility of the animalness of the animal constitutes a fundamental obstacle to change within current production systems. It is discussed whether housing animals in environments that resemble natural habitats could lead to a re-animalization of the animals, a higher appreciation of their moral significance, and thereby higher standards of animal welfare. The basic claim is that experiencing the animals in their evolutionary and environmental context would make it harder to objectify animals as mere bioreactors and production systems. It is argued that the historic objectification of animals within intensive animal production can only be reversed if animals are given the chance to express themselves as they are and not as we see them through the tunnel visions of economy and quantifiable welfare assessment parameters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Applied Philosophy, Aalborg University, Nyhavnsgade 14, 9000, Aalborg C, Denmark

    Jes Lynning Harfeld

  2. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Cécile Cornou

  3. Department of Resource and Food Economics, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Anna Kornum & Mickey Gjerris

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  1. Jes Lynning Harfeld
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  2. Cécile Cornou
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Correspondence to Jes Lynning Harfeld.

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Harfeld, J.L., Cornou, C., Kornum, A. et al. Seeing the Animal: On the Ethical Implications of De-animalization in Intensive Animal Production Systems. J Agric Environ Ethics 29, 407–423 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-016-9611-1

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