Speigel, Majorie "In Defense of Slavery"

In Marjorie Speigel’s essay, “In Defense of Slavery, she examines the similarities between the enslavement of man to the domestication of animals. A quote from Aristotle shows how domesticating animals is in fact done in the interest of the animals, “it civilized them and increased their numbers: ‘we multiply life, sensation and enjoyment”. Domesticated animals have their meals provided for them and protected from the harsh environment and their natural predators. However, terrible living conditions livestock live in puts the process of domesticating animals in question and often an overlooked issue. Speigel’s concern in her essay is that the belief of the enslavement of animals can be used to justify the oppression of another, in this case, human slaves, and accepting it as the norm.

One can argue, however, that humans and animals are completely different organisms. Humans display more varied and complex emotions than animals do and the two should not be seen as equals. Although animals have become integrated closely with humans, the relationship between the two organisms can not  be simply seen as master and slave. Their relationship is more symbiotic: animals produce resources that humans need. In exchange humans take care of all the animal’s needs. In addition, domestication has allowed humans understand and study animal’s a lot more closely and in more of a controlled environment. This has allowed humans to understand how to take care of animals and expose the lives of animals via zoos to inform the public.