The Affective Turn in Animal Ethics

ABSTRACTThis article argues that rationalism no longer rules the field of animal ethics – an “affective turn” has occurred in a significant space of the field. The article first looks at exemplary rationalists for contrast, and then moves on to survey several leading affective theories: Donovan’s feminist care ethic, Acampora’s corporal compassion, Gruen’s entangled empathy, and Aaltola’s varieties of empathy. Aaltola’s criticisms of Acampora are reviewed and rebutted. Finally, the conclusion indicates what is positive about the contributions of affective theory to animal ethics