Protections without Rights: A Liberal Indictment of Factory Farming

Abstract

I argue that factory farming should be abolished consistent with the principles of classical liberalism. To make my case, I first argue that anti-cruelty is a commitment of classical liberalism (Section 2). In Section 3, I explain how the commitments of classical liberalism, including a commitment to anti-cruelty, give us weighty reasons to abolish factory farming. Then, I consider and respond to the objection that the property rights of factory farmers override the strength of reasons for the abolition of factory farming (Section 4). Finally, I conclude (Section 5) by flagging some other possible implications of taking seriously a liberal commitment to anti-cruelty

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