Animal Welfare Ethics, Law, and Religious Perspectives

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering principles of animal welfare ethics, frameworks of reasoning, religious perspectives, and ritual slaughter laws.

Ethics

The careful examination of what is right, wrong, fair, good, or responsible—and the reasons supporting those judgments.

Science (in Animal Welfare)

The branch of inquiry that provides factual information and answers the question: "What is happening?"

Law (in Animal Care)

The formal rules and standards established by a legal authority that answer the question: "What are we legally required to do?"

Husbandry

The daily care and management of animals, such as deciding how much space, enrichment, and social contact housed animals receive.

Justification

Giving clear reasons that support a decision, which promotes rational thinking, consistency, and credibility.

Impartiality

Considering relevant interests fairly, such as considering farm animals' pain as well as pets' pain.

Consistency (in Ethical Reasoning)

Applying the same ethical principle in similar situations, such as requiring justification for painful procedures across different species.

Transparency

Explaining reasons openly, such as stating both welfare benefits and financial interests involved in animal care decisions.

Moral Relativism

The view that right and wrong depend on cultural standards, which encourages cultural tolerance but makes harmful practices harder to criticize.

Moral Objectivism

The view that some moral standards apply independently of cultural approval, supporting universal protections and criticism of harmful practices.

Utilitarianism

An ethical approach focused on overall outcomes, benefits, and harms, asking which choice produces the best overall welfare outcome.

Deontology

An ethical approach focused on duties, principles, and rights, asking whether an action is morally permitted or required, and placing limits on actions even if they produce benefits.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical approach focused on the character of the person acting, asking what a compassionate, responsible caretaker would do.

Ethical Blind Spot

An influence—such as tradition, economics, emotional bias, convenience, or groupthink—that causes someone to overlook a moral concern.

Sentience

The ability to have subjective experiences, such as pain, pleasure, or fear.

Interests (Animal Welfare)

Things that matter to an animal's life and well-being, such as avoiding pain, accessing food, and moving comfortably.

Intrinsic Value

Having worth in oneself, independently of usefulness to humans.

Rational, Autonomous Agent

A being capable of reasoning and making independent choices.

Ahimsa

The principle of nonviolence or avoiding harm to living beings, recognized as the highest moral duty in Jainism and also central to Hinduism.

Karma

The moral relationship between actions and their consequences, including effects on future rebirth.

Reincarnation / Rebirth

The concept of being born again after death.

Anthropocentrism

A viewpoint centered on humans.

Animality

The condition or characteristics of being an animal, which humans also share.

Divinity

The divine or transcendent dimension discussed in religion.

Prudence

The virtue of making thoughtful decisions using relevant information, such as investigating welfare conditions before supporting an animal practice.

Temperance

The virtue of practicing moderation and self-control, such as limiting excessive consumption.

Justice (in Animal Care)

The virtue of giving others their due and treating them fairly, which includes considering animals' interests in decisions.

Fortitude

The virtue of having courage to act despite difficulty or opposition, such as speaking up about poor animal treatment.

Ritual Slaughter

Slaughter performed according to religious requirements.

Kosher

Food permitted under Jewish dietary law.

Halal

Food permitted under Islamic dietary law.

Shechita

The Jewish ritual slaughter method.

Dhabihah

The Islamic ritual slaughter method.

Shochet

A person trained to perform shechita.

Stunning

Rendering an animal unconscious or insensible.

Pre-cut Stunning

Stunning an animal before the incision is made.

Post-cut Stunning

Stunning an animal after the incision is made.

Concurrent Stunning / Sedation

Stunning or sedating an animal at the same time as the cut is made.

October 2020 Factsheet: Denmark

The legal status described in the October 2020 factsheet requiring pre-cut stunning.

October 2020 Factsheet: Germany

The legal status described in the October 2020 factsheet that permits certain religious slaughter without stunning.

October 2020 Factsheet: Greece

The legal status described in the October 2020 factsheet requiring post-cut stunning, with an exception for poultry.

October 2020 Factsheet: Finland

The legal status described in the October 2020 factsheet where concurrent stunning is accepted for halal certification, but not kosher.

October 2020 Factsheet: Belgium

The legal status described in the October 2020 factsheet showing regional differences, with restrictions in Flanders and Wallonia.

October 2020 Factsheet: Slovenia

The status described in the October 2020 factsheet classifying the country as banning ritual slaughter, while noting halal certification of meat from stunned animals.