Abstract

Forthy years after the issue of "Animal Liberation" (1975), this essay tries to make a critical assessment of the theses of Peter Singer on the moral status of animals, showing their historical evolution. Notwithstanding the limits of his utilitarian theoretical view, a good part of Singer's moral reflection about animals reveals itself convincing and is finding some achievements in the positive legislation of a lot of countries. Following David DeGrazia, the author develops Singer's theses in a gradualist direction, pointing out that the problems of utilitarianism do not compromise the validity of the principle of equal consideration of interests, nor the main practical outcomes that the Australian philosopher draws from it.