An introductory textbook on the ethics of our treatment of animals. Written for the Open University but specially revised here for non-OU students, it introduces readers step by step to the skills required for thinking clearly about our treatment of animals. It is ideally suited to those confronting philosophy and ethical problems for the first time. With the beginner firmly in mind, each chapter introduces one of three standard approaches in ethical theory: utilitarianism, rights and virtue ethics. Rosalind Hursthouse explains how each approach encourages us to think about our treatment of animals. Each chapter is then linked to a reading from a key exponent of each approach, such as Peter Singer, and asks students to think critically about the readings for themselves. The book aims to equip students with the key skills necessary for thinking about our treatment of animals. By the end of the book students should be able to: understand and evaluate for themselves arguments about our treatment of animals; critically discuss some of the key approaches in ethical theory; and appraise the writings of key thinkers who have influenced thinking about our treatment of animals. Key features of the book also include activities and exercises so that students can monitor their progress, chapter summaries, and guides to further reading.