Richard Ryder

Richard Ryder is a British psychologist and animal rights advocate known for his influential ideas on animal ethics. In the 1970s, he introduced the concept of "speciesism," which criticizes the unfair discrimination against beings solely based on their species, similar to racism and sexism. Ryder argues that all sentient beings—those capable of feeling pain and pleasure—deserve moral consideration. He has been a key figure in advocating for the ethical treatment of animals, emphasizing that their suffering should be taken seriously and that society should move towards greater compassion and justice for all living beings.