A study in animal ethics in New Brunswick

Area of Science:

• Animal Ethics
• Sociology
• Environmental Ethics

Background:

• Societal use of animals presents growing ethical challenges.
• Decisions regarding animal use are complicated by the lack of a clear social consensus ethic.
• A shifting societal ethic indicates the emergence of a
• new ethic

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and understand the evolving ethics of society towards animals.
• To identify the specific ethical positions held by various animal-interest groups.
• To determine if a predicted
• new ethic
• is present in New Brunswick society.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research methodology utilizing focus groups.
• In-depth analysis of 7 distinct animal-interest groups.
• Computer-aided qualitative data analysis to determine group ethical positions.

Main Results:

• Animal welfare, companion animal, and veterinary groups adopted Rollin's Position (Utilitarian and Rights Principles).
• Farmer and trapper groups utilized a Utilitarian/Land Ethic position.
• Hunter groups followed a Utilitarian/Judeo-Christian position, while naturalists adopted Rollin's Position/Land Ethic.
• All groups perceived significant ethical responsibility towards animals within their interest areas when used by others.

Conclusions:

• The predicted
• new ethic
• towards animals, identified as Rollin's Position, is evident in New Brunswick society.
• Diverse animal-interest groups exhibit distinct ethical frameworks guiding their interactions with animals.
• A shared perception of ethical responsibility towards animals exists across different interest groups.