Speciesism

Speciesism is the discrimination towards various species and thinking of species as pests. It occurs when treating one species as more important than another species; also, the belief that this practice is justified.

 

Related Case Studies: The Shark Crisis: Speciesism vs. Ecological Altruism , Public perceptions of sharks: Gathering support for shark conservation

Speciesism can be defined as the unjustified disadvantageous consideration or treatment of those who are not classified as belonging to a certain species (Horta, 2010). It has been proposed that there can be different variations of speciesism, but Horta refutes this claim saying that in all cases it remains the same. In any case where the moral consideration of nonhuman animals is overlooked, it is due to speciesism. In the event of these occurrences, human interest is given preference over whatever species is involved and the wellbeing of the other species is thus put at risk. 

Bibliography

Horta, O. J. What is Speciesism?. Agric Environ Ethics (2010) 23: 243.