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Combining Action and Theory: How to Apply Critical Animal Studies to the Real World?
In today's world, animal rights and environmental issues are receiving more and more attention, and Critical Animal Studies (CAS) as an emerging discipline was established to explore these issues in a critical way. Since its founding in 2001 as the Center for Animal Liberation by Anthony J. Nocella II and Steven Best, CAS has been committed to promoting animal ethics and emphasizing the importance of cross-species intersectionality, with considerations of social justice and environmental justice behind it.
“CAS aims to combine academic research with political engagement and action.”
Historical Background of Critical Animal Studies
The history of critical animal studies dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, when ecological and animal issues entered the academic discussion and gave rise to the first animal liberation movement. In 2001, the establishment of the Center for Animal Liberation Affairs marked the official start of this discipline. The center subsequently organized numerous studies on animal exploitation and provided education and policy advice.
ICASA's role
In 2007, CALA changed its name to the Institute for Critical Animal Studies (ICAS) and became an international network. Since 2011, ICAS has established several chapters on different continents, promoting various initiatives such as the Student Organization for Critical Animal Studies and the Transboundary Research Collective. These initiatives focus not only on animal rights, but also on justice issues in other social movements.
“Critical animal studies emphasizes that nonhuman and human liberation are part of a common struggle.”
Ten Guiding Principles
CAS's work is guided by ten fundamental principles, including collaborating across disciplines, questioning the objectivity of academic analysis, integrating theory with practice, and advocating for non-hierarchical social structures. These principles provide the foundational framework that enables them to explore in depth the complex relationships between humans and animals.
The difference between critical animal research and animal research
Critical animal studies differs significantly from traditional animal studies in that it explicitly promotes the importance of political action and advocates direct action, which may seem relatively radical in traditional academia. Supporters argue that while animal research contributes to our understanding of the human-animal relationship, it lacks deep ethical commitment.
“The core purpose of critical animal research is to fight all forms of oppression and commodification.”
Real-world applications of critical animal research
In real life, the theory of critical animal studies can be applied to many fields, such as environmental protection, social movements, and even policy recommendations. Scholars point out that combining the theories in this research field with concrete actions can promote society's attention to the rights of animals and humans and promote cross-species social justice.
Future Directions and Challenges
In the face of challenges, supporters of critical animal research must consider how to maintain their relevance in a changing society and environment. They need to continue exploring the root causes of inequality and how to promote change through concrete actions. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration and broad public engagement to build more dialogue about animals and humans on a global scale.
Over the past few decades, critical animal studies has demonstrated its integral role in social justice movements. However, facing future developments, we should think: How can we more effectively apply these critical theories to specific problems in today's society in order to achieve real change?
