Utilitarianism and animal rights

Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that judges actions by their ability to produce the greatest happiness and reduce suffering for the most people. When applied to animal rights, it suggests that animals' welfare should be considered because their suffering or pleasure impacts overall well-being. This perspective encourages minimizing animal pain, especially in practices like factory farming or testing, to maximize overall happiness. While utilitarianism supports animal welfare, it can conflict with practices that benefit humans but harm animals, emphasizing a balance between human interests and animal suffering.