Gender and Values: Women"™s Contributions to the Debate on Moral Considerability

Abstract

The debate on the moral consideration regarding nonhuman animals is dominated by reflections and proposals of male authors. However, many women have also developed important theories that, in many cases, offer alternative and/or complementary visions to achieve ethics applied to animals that incorporate a gender perspective. Feminist and eco-feminist writers have faced the issue of exploitation of animals, enriching the field of moral philosophy. In our moral judgments, it is essential to take into account both universal principles and emotions and values of care. In this way, we can elaborate more complete and powerful theories which take into consideration the moral implications of our attitudes towards other sentient beings.