Rain Without Thunder (book)
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| Author | Gary L. Francione |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Animal Rights |
| Publisher | Temple University Press |
Publication date | 3 September 1996 |
| Pages | 269 |
| ISBN | 1-56639-460-0 |
Rain Without Thunder: The Ideology of the Animal Rights Movement is a 1996 book by American legal scholar Gary L. Francione. The basic premise of the book is that there is a fundamental difference between those that call for animal welfare reform and those that call for the complete abolition of animal use (called 'welfarism' and 'abolitionism'), and that animals have a fundamental right to not be exploited.
Francione argues that the animal rights movement only emerged in the late 1970s and 1980s. Until that time, concern for animals was limited to ensuring that animals were well cared for during their exploitation.[1] The animal rights position calls for the total abolition of animal use and exploitation, as "animals, like humans, have inherent value that must be respected".[2]
Francione also describes a third category, which is that of the 'new welfarist'. New welfarists are those that argue the best path to animal rights or abolition is through welfare reform and believe that welfare reform will make humans more receptive to inherently valuing animals. Francione argues that new welfarism does not work, and actually prolongs animal exploitation. Francione describes the welfarist or new welfarist movement as simply advocating for "longer chains for the slaves".
Francione describes the differing philosophies of Peter Singer and Tom Regan toward animal use. He criticises heavily the utilitarian position of Singer,[3] who believes that animal use is acceptable so long as their interests are given equal consideration to humans, and praises Regan's deontological position of giving all animals rights.
Francione argues that most animal rights groups are too passive in their approach, and have diluted their messages in the hopes of gaining cultural acceptance.[3] The only group which has not done this, according to Francione, is Animal Liberation Front, which performs rescues for animals, often of a dangerous or illegal nature.
