Speciesism: The Movie

Speciesism,_The_Movie

Speciesism: The Movie is a 2013 American documentary film directed by Mark Devries. The film explores the concept of speciesism, a term coined by British psychologist Richard D. Ryder in 1970, which refers to the assignment of different values, rights, or special consideration to individuals solely on the basis of their species membership.

Synopsis

The documentary follows Devries as he investigates the treatment of animals in various industries, including factory farming, animal testing, and other forms of animal exploitation. Through interviews with philosophers, scientists, and activists, the film examines the ethical implications of speciesism and challenges viewers to reconsider their views on the moral status of non-human animals.

Key Themes

• Speciesism: The central theme of the film, speciesism is compared to other forms of discrimination such as racism and sexism. The film argues that speciesism is an unjustifiable bias that leads to the suffering and exploitation of animals.
• Animal Rights: The film advocates for the recognition of animal rights and the need to extend moral consideration to all sentient beings.
• Factory Farming: The documentary provides an in-depth look at the conditions in which animals are raised for food, highlighting issues such as confinement, mutilation, and slaughter.
• Ethical Veganism: The film promotes veganism as a moral imperative to avoid contributing to the harm and exploitation of animals.

Notable Interviews

The film features interviews with several prominent figures in the animal rights movement, including:

• Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation
• Gary L. Francione, legal scholar and animal rights advocate
• Temple Grandin, animal behavior expert and advocate for humane treatment of livestock
• Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist and author

Reception

Speciesism: The Movie received positive reviews from critics and audiences for its thought-provoking content and compelling arguments. It has been praised for its ability to engage viewers in a critical discussion about the ethical treatment of animals and the implications of speciesism.

Related Pages

• Animal rights
• Veganism
• Factory farming
• Peter Singer
• Gary L. Francione
• Temple Grandin
• Richard Dawkins
• Ethics of eating meat