The Animal Turn S1E8: Autonomy with Frédéric Côté-Boudreau
Jun 24, 2020
Frédéric Côté-Boudreau, a philosophy scholar from Montréal, dives deep into the concept of animal autonomy. He discusses the ethical dilemmas of recognizing choices animals might want to make, challenging traditional views on freedom and law. The conversation highlights the intersection of speciesism and ableism, advocating for more inclusive definitions of autonomy. They also examine practical implications in legal frameworks, emphasizing the need for society to acknowledge animal rights and individuality, inspiring rethinking of human-animal relationships.
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Autonomy As Political Protection
- Autonomy functions as a protection from outside interference over how a person directs their life.
- Frédéric frames autonomy politically as the right to make personal choices, not a metaphysical free-will claim.
We Predetermine Animals' Lives
- Humans currently predetermine animals' lives by treating them as property and assigning functions.
- Frédéric argues we rarely ask animals what they want or whether they'd prefer different lives.
Reframe Policy To Include Animal Preferences
- Move animals out of the property paradigm and begin recognizing them as persons with decision-making space.
- Reframe public policies to solicit animals' preferences and provide resources aligned with their choices.
