The Dreaded Comparison

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Considered seminal in Bioethics and Human-Animal Studies, Marjorie Spiegel's work makes a significant contribution to understanding the roots of individual and societal violence. It connects current cultural practices to the legacy of human bondage and introduces diverse audiences to the history of slavery and institutionalized racism in the United States. The book spans history, psychology, and current events, presenting a groundbreaking thesis that explores the similarities between the violence humans inflict on one another and our treatment of non-human animals. This exploration has influenced scholars, historians, and educators to view modern animal exploitation through the lens of human slavery. Furthermore, it broadens the philosophical foundation of animal discourse, fostering a more inclusive and historically grounded understanding of critical issues. Highly acclaimed, the work has been endorsed by figures like Gordon Parks, who stated it should be in schoolrooms everywhere, and civil rights attorney William Kunstler, who acknowledged its powerful impact on his thinking. Now in its third edition, it is required reading in colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide and has been featured in textbooks and national journals.