Tom Regan

More people have heard of Peter Singer than Tom Regan, but they're equally important in the animal-liberation/animal-rights movement. Singer is a utilitarian (a species of consequentialist) who believes that the morally salient fact about animals is that they're sentient, i.e., capable of suffering. Regan is a rights theorist (a species of deontologist) who believes that the morally salient fact about animals is that they're subjects of a life. While Singer and Regan differ about the theoretical rationale for changes in our treatment of animals, they agree on many practical matters, such as that people should become vegetarians. Here is a site devoted to Regan's work. I hope you enjoy it. I put a permanent link to it on the left, in case you lose the address.