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In our glossary, we explain our use of language and why we do not use some words, use them differently, or use them just so. In addition, technical terms are explained and sometimes illustrated graphically or in pictures.
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A
Ableism
Ableism describes discrimination on the grounds of alleged lack of or ability. The concept of disability movements draws attention to unequal treatment due to characteristics that deviate from the norm.
anthropocentric
Anthropocentrism describes the prevailing ideology in the Western world, in which humans place themselves in the focus of considerations and assessments and subordinate other living beings such as nonhuman animals to it.
B
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F
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I
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M
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N
Nonhuman animals
We use the addition "non-human" to show that humans are also part of the animal kingdom. In this way we criticize the sharp separation created between humans and other animals. In texts dealing with a particular group of animals, such as cattle, we use the term "animals". Since in this case it is not spoken of all animals except human, but only of one animal species, we do not differentiate in this case linguistically.
S
"So-called" or quotation marks
Nonhuman animals are often referred to not only by their species name, but also by the meaning or benefit for humans and the existing system, such as "laying hens", "laboratory mice" or "vermin". In these cases, we enclose the words in quotation marks or supplement them with the addition "so-called." This shows that animals should not be defined according to the purpose of human use and that we do not support the system in which the roles mentioned above are assigned to them.
T
Animal rights
In contrast to animal welfare, animal rights demand rights for non-human animals and in principle call into question the use of such rights by humans. Since the use of non-human animals usually infringes the rights of such animals, it cannot be reconciled with this view.
Animal welfare
Animal welfare has changed historically. In the 19th century, it was an anthropocentric animal protection that protected the nonhuman animals of the human way. Animal cruelty therefore disturbs the moral feeling of people, or the treatment of non-human animals serves to educate people. In addition, according to anthropocentric animal protection, animals must be protected to the extent that they continue to serve as a means of production and goods for humans. Until today, the last approach prevails in the "animal industry" - the protection of animal interests is motivated by economic interests. At the social level, animal welfare has changed into ethical animal protection, which protects nonhuman animals for their own sake. The two forms are based on the view that it is in principle okay to use non-human animals if they are treated according to certain guidelines.
Animal liberation
Animal liberation does not demand rights for nonhuman animals in the ruling legal system, but seeks a liberated social system in which all human beings and nonhuman animals live in freedom.
Animal movements
We want to support actors of all movements like Animal welfare, Animal rights, Animal liberation, in their work, as long as they agree with our values. Since there is no suitable word for us in German that summarizes all currents, we fall back on this not very widespread and not ideal word for us.