Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty explicitly recognizes animals as "sentient beings," requiring member states to pay full regard to their welfare requirements in policy formulation.
For much of Western history, anthropocentrism—the belief that humans are the central or most significant entities in the world—dominated thought. Aristotle posited a natural hierarchy where plants exist for animals, and animals exist for humans. In the 17th century, René Descartes infamously declared animals to be "automata" (machines without souls or consciousness), arguing they could not truly experience pain. Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty explicitly recognizes
A few trends suggest a future synthesis: In the 17th century, René Descartes infamously declared
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | GLOBAL LEGAL BENCHMARKS | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | EUROPEAN UNION • Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty recognizes | | animals as "sentient beings." | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | UNITED STATES • Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulates labs/zoos | | but explicitly excludes farm animals. | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | STRATEGIC LITIGATION • Nonhuman Rights Project uses Habeas Corpus | | to seek legal personhood for apes/elephants. | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ The Push for Constitutional Rights In the 17th century
Ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. Animal Rights: Moral and Legal Personhood