Overview

This is the first multidisciplinary book that addresses the ethics of fur. Whatever might have been true of the past, the production of fur is now morally problematic in terms of both necessity and suffering. There is no necessity in killing animals for nonessential purposes, such as adornment, fashion, or vanity. The argument for utility simply doesn’t hold up. Alternative clothing is now readily available, enduring, and less costly. Worse still, since we know that the animals exploited are sentient, causing them suffering or making animals liable to suffering is arguably intrinsically wrong. The purpose of this volume is to open up and advance further the ethical, political, and specifically legislative endeavors now moving at pace and to encourage the anti-fur movement. That said, there is much to learn from this book about the history, culture, and political arguments for and against fur that should interest scholars and students, as well as those engaged on either side of the debate. It is not common for academics to engage with pressing and contentious moral issues, and we pay tribute to our eighteen contributors for leading the way.

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9781666937947

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An important book exploring the moral and ethical questions behind human society's exploitation of animals for their fur. Informative and challenging, this book pulls no punches and provides a comprehensive overview of the fur trade's history, present, and future. There is still work to be done to end the use of animals for their skins but progress has been made by dedicated advocates over many decades. This book makes a valuable contribution to the urgent debate on fur and presents vital arguments in favor of the protection of animals from this archaic and cruel practice. I applaud the authors on this ambitious work. This book is a timely and helpful contribution to the current conversations about the ethics of wearing and promoting fur products. The historical and ethical analysis help center the ongoing legal and political debates. This book will be useful for advocates, educators, students, politicians, legislators, and lawyers and should be read by anyone working in, or thinking about, this space.

An important book exploring the moral and ethical questions behind human society's exploitation of animals for their fur. Informative and challenging, this book pulls no punches and provides a comprehensive overview of the fur trade's history, present, and future. There is still work to be done to end the use of animals for their skins but progress has been made by dedicated advocates over many decades. This book makes a valuable contribution to the urgent debate on fur and presents vital arguments in favor of the protection of animals from this archaic and cruel practice. I applaud the authors on this ambitious work. --Liz Tyson, Born Free USA This book is a timely and helpful contribution to the current conversations about the ethics of wearing and promoting fur products. The historical and ethical analysis help center the ongoing legal and political debates. This book will be useful for advocates, educators, students, politicians, legislators, and lawyers and should be read by anyone working in, or thinking about, this space. --Kathy Hessler, George Washington University Law School

Author Information

Andrew Linzey is director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and has been a member of the faculty of theology in the University of Oxford for twenty-eight years. Clair Linzey is deputy director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and professor of animal theology at the Graduate Theological Foundation.

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