Overview

Since the Origin of Species was first published, Darwinism has been attacked for undermining traditional morality. In particular, because it emphasizes the kinship between humans and other animals, Darwinism seems incompatible with the traditional idea of human dignity - that human life has a special value, while other animals may be sacrificed for any purpose that humans choose. This book argues that Darwinism does undermine the traditional idea of human dignity; however, this is not a reason for rejecting Darwin's outlook. Instead, it is a reason for rejecting human dignity and replacing it with a better moral view, a more enlightened ethic regarding both the value of human life and our treatment of nonhuman animals. This important book, presenting Darwin's scientific and non-scientific views as one united theory, will stimulate all those interested in evolution, morality, religion, and animal rights to re-examine their views.

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9780192861290

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Reviews

"`Professor Rachel's study of ethics and evolution is an example of polemical writing at its best.' The Tablet `James Rachels can take a complex theory or tangled issue and make it lucid. The book is philosophically sophisticated, yet never obscure, pedantic, or muddled. The book should appeal to any thinking person who wishes to become better informed on the best current philosophical thought from the ""animal rights"" point of view.' Journal of Value Inquiry 'he presents a stimulating argument in lucid prose, and demonstrates without question the relevance of Darwinian theory for ethics' Times Higher Education Supplement 'A remarkably clear, straightforward, and brief discussion ... of the implications of Darwinism for animal rights.' Kirkus Reviews 'lucid, thoughtful and well argued book ... Forceful, but never strident, it offers a moral perspective which thoughtful people, inside and outside the laboratory, would do well to ponder.' Philip Kitcher, University of California at San Diego, Nature 'In his most engaging way, James Rachels ... shows how Darwinism undermines the traditional idea of human superiority, producing a book that is a powerful weapon in the war against speciesism.' RSPCA Journal 'this ambitious book, like Rachels' previous books, is easy to read and is accessible to the many who want to know about how evolutionary biology, cognitive ethology and philosophy inform and motivate each other in coming to terms with many of the complex issues surrounding the treatment of non-humans by humans. But just because Created From Animals is an easy read, this does not mean that Rachels compromises quality. Rachels should be congratulated for his forthright, clear, and novel presentation, and also his willingness to argue openly a case that many would rather see argued behind closed doors or not at all.' Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado, Environmental Values vol.1, no.1 'His style is pleasant, thoughtful, fair-minded and well-argued; and if the Christian reader is not convinced of the case Dr Rachels espouses he will nevertheless find this an interesting, instructive and rewarding study. ... this is a fascinating and worthwhile book.' Science & Christian Belief 'it provides an excellent introduction to the whole of Darwin's life and thought' Ethology Ecology & Evolution 4: 1992 `Rachels spells out some practical consequences of abandoning special category status for human beings.' The Heythrop Journal 'His description of the development of Darwin's ideas about the mechanism of evolution is one of the best succinct summaries I have read.' Eugenie C. Scott, National Center for Science Education, Inc, Journal of Human Evolution (1993) 24"

A remarkably clear, straightforward, and brief (211-page) discussion, from a Univ. of Alabama philosophy professor, of the implications of Darwinism for animal rights. Most of Rachels' book is a review of Darwin's work and of the responses and relevant ideas of biologists, philosophers, and others - both Darwin's contemporaries who rejected his theories for their assault on religion and human dignity, and other thinkers who have argued that humanity's creation in the image of God or, later, human speech, intellect, and/or moral sense make human specialness compatible with evolution. Rachels then puts forth his own argument for moral individualism, based on his belief that evolution precludes the concept of human specialness and forces a reconsideration of our treatment of animals. In the end, he restores a sort of relativist respect for human claims in his distinction between biological and biographical life, but this same distinction supports his assertion that a rhesus monkey might have a higher claim to consideration than a severely brain-damaged human. But such a summary ignores the specific topics of debate, as well as the arguments of philosophers from Kant to sociobiologists and animal-rights advocates, that Rachels characterizes so neatly and accessibly - and that, along with his own provocative argument, should earn the book serious attention. (Kirkus Reviews)

<br> Remarkably clear, straightforward, and brief....Provocative. --Kirkus Reviews<br> Rachel's book covers an extraordinarily diverse array of scientific, historical and philosophical topics (beginning with a 55-page synopsis of Darwin's life and thought) with admirable brevity, simplicity, fairness and clarity. It deserves to be read and pondered on by anyone with a serious interest in evolutionary thought or the treatment of animals. --American Scientist<br> A lucid and lively account. --Journal of Metaphysics<br> Ambitious, provocative, challenging, erudite....Commands attention. --Medical Humanities Review<br> Clearly written and engaging. --Ethics<br>

Remarkably clear, straightforward, and brief....Provocative. --Kirkus Reviews<br> Rachel's book covers an extraordinarily diverse array of scientific, historical and philosophical topics (beginning with a 55-page synopsis of Darwin's life and thought) with admirable brevity, simplicity, fairness and clarity. It deserves to be read and pondered on by anyone with a serious interest in evolutionary thought or the treatment of animals. --American Scientist<br> A lucid and lively account. --Journal of Metaphysics<br> Ambitious, provocative, challenging, erudite....Commands attention. --Medical Humanities Review<br> Clearly written and engaging. --Ethics<br>

Author Information

James Rachels is author of The End of Life (OUP, 1986)

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