[8] প্রাণীর নৈতিক অধিকার সংক্রান্ত মতবাদ: সমসাময়িক প্রাসঙ্গিকতা

প্রবন্ধ সম্পর্কিত তথ্য (ARTICLE INFO): জমাদানের তারিখ (Date of Submission): ১৯ মার্চ ২০২৬, সংশোধিত (Date of Revision): ২৮ মার্চ ২০২৬, গৃহীত: ৫ এপ্রিল ২০২৬, CrossRef d.o.i.: https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i4.2026.76-86.⁠ কীভাবে উদ্ধৃত করবেন (How To Cite): Sourav Mahanta (2026). প্রাণীর নৈতিক অধিকার সংক্রান্ত মতবাদ, সমসাময়িক প্রাসঙ্গিকতা International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews. 5(4), 76-86.

Abstract

Among the various contemporary discourses, environmental ethics is notably complex, as it frequently presents profound moral dilemmas. A central concern within this field is the moral consideration of non-human animals. While this topic has historical philosophical roots, it gained significant momentum in the 1970s, eventually evolving into a global movement. Animal Ethics, a specialized branch of environmental ethics, advocates for the intrinsic value of animals and their right to exist and roam free from human interference. Historically, until the 17th century, the prevailing philosophical view—rooted in human rationality—relegated animals to mere instrumental or "mechanical" value, justifying their exploitation. However, this anthropocentric paradigm was challenged by Jeremy Bentham, who argued that the capacity to suffer, rather than rationality, is the true benchmark of morality. Furthermore, Darwinian theory suggested that emotional states like joy and pain are adaptive traits shared across species. Despite traditional moral frameworks prioritizing human status, modern animal rights advocates argue that non-human animals possess inherent rights. These rights constitute a legitimate claim to live without harm, establishing animals as beings of significant moral worth.