The Animal Turn

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.

Claudia speaks to Saskia Stucki, who sees overlaps between International Humanitarian Law and Animal Welfare Law as providing fertile ground for legal conceptual development. Saskia Stucki believes ‘Animal Warfare Law’ offers a way forward for considering how animal welfare and animal rights could better complement one another. Date recorded: 6 May 2020Guest: Saskia Stucki is Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2018/2019, she was a visiting researcher at the Harvard Law School Animal Law & Policy Program, where she worked on her two-year postdoctoral research project “Trilogy on a Legal Theory of Animal Rights” (funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation). She studied law at the University of Basel, Switzerland, where she also obtained her doctoral degree in 2015. The resulting book on “Fundamental Rights for Animals” (2016) won four awards, among other the biennial award of the Swiss Association for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy. Her research interests include animal law and ethics, animal personhood and rights, legal animal studies and comparative animal welfare law, legal theory, human rights philosophy, international humanitarian law, and environmental law. You can find out more about Saskia and her work here. Host: Claudia Hirtenfelder is a PhD Candidate in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University and is currently undertaking her own research project that looks at the historical relationships between animals and cities. Contact Claudia via email (17ch38@queensu.ca) or follow her on Twitter (@ClaudiaFTowne).Featured readings:  The Humanization of Humanitarian Law by Theodor Meron; The War Against Animals by Dinesh Wadiwel; and Beyond Animal Welfare/Warfare Law: Humanizing the war on animals and the need for complementary animal rights by Saskia Stucki (forthcoming)Bed Music created by Gordon Clarke (Instagram: @_con_sol_)Podcast Logo created by Jeremy John (Website)Sponsored by Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Ethics – A.P.P.L.E (Website) Part of iROAR, an Animals Podcasting Network and theA.P.P.L.EAnimals in Politics, Law, and Ethics researches how we live in interspecies societies and polities.iROAR NetworkiROAR brings together podcasts that aim is to make the world a better place for animals. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showThe Animal Turn is hosted and produced by Claudia Hirtenfelder and is part of the iROAR Network. Learn more on our website. Leave a Review on Podchaser Check out The Animal Turn Merch. Support us on Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and Buzzsprout.

In this insightful discussion, Siobhan O’Sullivan, a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and animal welfare advocate, unpacks the controversial Ag-Gag laws and their emergence in Australia. She shares her journey in animal studies and the creation of the iROAR podcast network to promote animal issues. The conversation highlights the challenges activists face in exposing factory farming practices and the critical need for visibility in animal welfare advocacy. O’Sullivan emphasizes the tension between community values and political structures, urging for greater accountability in confronting these laws.

Charlotte Blattner, a senior researcher and lecturer at the University of Bern, dives into the intricate world of animal law. She examines how extraterritorial jurisdiction can enhance animal protection globally, especially in light of corporate interests and regulatory challenges. Blattner reflects on her personal journey in animal advocacy, critiques the clash between capitalism and animal rights, and discusses the potential for transformative legal reforms. This engaging talk highlights the need for animals to be viewed as individuals deserving rights within our legal systems.

Maneesha Deckha, a leading Professor of Law at the University of Victoria, explores the legal concept of personhood and its implications for animal rights. She discusses the transformative shift from traditional views to 'Legal Beingness,' a framework that addresses the unique identities of non-human beings. Deckha highlights the disparities in legal protections among different animal species and critiques human-centric perspectives in academia. Her insights provoke thought on the complexities of animal advocacy and the potential for evolving legal recognition that values all sentient beings.

In this episode Claudia talks to Angela Fernandez about the legal concept of ‘First Possession’ also delving into the significance of historical research in considering animals and the law. Guest: Angela Fernandez is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, cross-appointed to the Department of History. She is the author of a book-length study on Pierson v. Post, the famous first possession case often used to begin the study of American (and sometimes Canadian) property law: Pierson v. Post, the Hunt for the Fox: Law and Professionalization in American Legal Culture (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018). She is an Associate Editor (Book Reviews) for Law and History Review. She is on the Board of Directors for Animal Justice Canada, a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, and a member of the Brooks Animal Studies Academic Network (BASAN) with the Brooks Institute for Animal Law and Policy. Learn more about Angela here. Host: Claudia Hirtenfelder is a PhD Candidate in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University and is currently undertaking her own research project that looks at the historical relationships between animals and cities. Connect with her on Twitter (@ClaudiaFTowne)Featured readings:  Pierson v. Post, the Hunt for the Fox: Law and Professionalization in American Legal Culture written by Angela Fernandez  Bed Music created by Gordon Clarke (Instagram: @_con_sol_)Podcast Logo created by Jeremy John (Website)Sponsored by Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Ethics – A.P.P.L.E (Website) Part of iROAR, an Animals Podcasting Network and the CFRC Podcast NetworkA.P.P.L.EAnimals in Politics, Law, and Ethics researches how we live in interspecies societies and polities.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showThe Animal Turn is hosted and produced by Claudia Hirtenfelder and is part of the iROAR Network. Learn more on our website. Leave a Review on Podchaser Check out The Animal Turn Merch. Support us on Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and Buzzsprout.

Lesli Bisgould, an adjunct professor and barrister specializing in animal rights law, joins Claudia to discuss the evolving legal status of animals in Canada. They explore the differentiation between legal subjects and objects, highlighting the growing recognition of animals as entities deserving rights. The conversation delves into the emotional and ethical dilemmas of animal rights advocacy, the complexities of animal experimentation, and the challenges of owning exotic pets. Bisgould shares insights on the need for societal change to influence legal reform.

In this engaging discussion, Will Kymlicka, Canada Research Chair in Political Philosophy at Queen’s University, explores the intersection of animal rights and law. He unpacks misconceptions surrounding animal protection laws and critiques their impact on societal norms. Kymlicka delves into the philosophical foundations of state power and the nuances of governance concerning animals. The conversation highlights the need for intrinsic rights over property classifications and examines potential legal standing for animals, advocating for a profound paradigm shift in their treatment.