Animals as Persons (Gary L. Francione)

"Animals as Persons" by Gary L. Francione argues that animals possess inherent moral value and deserve basic rights, similar to humans, not because they can reason or communicate like us, but because they are sentient—capable of feeling pain, fear, and happiness. Francione advocates that we have a moral obligation to treat animals with respect, often emphasizing that mainstream practices like factory farming violate their interests. He suggests that recognizing animals as persons—beings deserving moral consideration—requires us to reduce or eliminate animal suffering, challenging the view that animals are merely property or resources.