Priscilla Cohn

Priscilla_Cohn

Priscilla Cohn was an American philosopher and animal rights advocate. She was a professor emerita of philosophy at Pennsylvania State University and a prominent figure in the field of animal ethics. Cohn's work focused on the moral consideration of animals and the ethical implications of human-animal interactions.

Early Life and Education

Priscilla Cohn was born in New York City. She earned her bachelor's degree from New York University and later received her Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia University. Her early academic work was influenced by existentialist and phenomenological traditions.

Academic Career

Cohn joined the faculty of Pennsylvania State University in the 1960s, where she taught philosophy for several decades. She was known for her courses on ethics, existentialism, and phenomenology. Cohn was instrumental in developing the university's curriculum on animal ethics, a field that was relatively new at the time.

Contributions to Animal Ethics

Priscilla Cohn was a pioneering figure in the field of animal rights. She authored several influential books and articles that argued for the moral consideration of animals. Her work often intersected with the ideas of other prominent animal rights philosophers, such as Peter Singer and Tom Regan.

One of her notable works is Ethics and Wildlife, where she explored the ethical dimensions of human interactions with wild animals. Cohn argued that humans have a moral obligation to consider the well-being of wild animals and to minimize harm caused by human activities.

Activism and Advocacy

Beyond her academic work, Cohn was actively involved in animal rights advocacy. She collaborated with various animal rights organizations and participated in campaigns aimed at improving the welfare of animals. Cohn's activism extended to issues such as factory farming, animal testing, and wildlife conservation.

Legacy

Priscilla Cohn's contributions to philosophy and animal ethics have had a lasting impact. Her work continues to influence contemporary discussions on the moral status of animals and the ethical responsibilities of humans towards other species. Cohn's legacy is carried on through the many students she mentored and the ongoing relevance of her writings.

Related Pages

• Animal rights
• Ethics
• Peter Singer
• Tom Regan
• Pennsylvania State University
• Existentialism
• Phenomenology