Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [266]-278).

In this thesis, I analyze some of the most important contributions concerning the inclusion of animals in the moral and political sphere. Moving from these positions, I suggest that a meaningful consideration of animals' sentience demands a profound, radical political theory which considers animals as moral patients endowed with specific capabilities whose actualization needs to be allowed and/or promoted. Such theory would take human-animal different types of relationships into account to decide what kind of ethical and political responsibilities humans have towards animals. It would be also based on the assumption that animals' sentience is the necessary and sufficient feature for assigning moral status. I start from the consideration that in the history of political philosophy, most theorists have excluded animals from the realm of justice. I then propose an examination of utilitarianism, capabilities approach, and relational-based theories of animal rights (in particular the works by Kymlicka and Donaldson, and Clare Palmer) and borrow essential elements from each of these approaches to build my theory. I claim that a political theory which attaches high importance to individual capabilities, as well as to the various types of relationships we have with animals, is the most appropriate to tackle the puzzle of human responsibilities to animals.

This thesis examines the intersection between religion and environmental ethics in Jainism. Religious traditions, as they confront the challenges of modernity, are redefining their traditional mores and narratives in ways that appear, and are, contemporary and relevant. One of the most striking ways in which Jains are accomplishing this, is through their self-presentation as inherently “ecological” through their use of “Western” animal rights discourse in tandem with traditional Jain doctrine. This essay seeks to explore the ways in which this is accomplished, and how these new understandings are being established and understood by members of this “living” community.

This thesis examines the intersection between religion and environmental ethics in Jainism. Religious traditions, as they confront the challenges of modernity, are redefining their traditional mores and narratives in ways that appear, and are, contemporary and relevant. One of the most striking ways in which Jains are accomplishing this, is through their self-presentation as inherently “ecological” through their use of “Western” animal rights discourse in tandem with traditional Jain doctrine. This essay seeks to explore the ways in which this is accomplished, and how these new understandings are being established and understood by members of this “living” community.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2009. / Adviser: Abraham Pizam. Includes bibliographical references (p. 224-246).

In Mozambique, 80 per cent of the people rely on farming for their livelihood. The majority of them are small-scale and subsistence farmers. In spite of high GDP and agricultural growth rates, the majority of Mozambicans in rural areas remain below the poverty line.  Even though many subsistence farmers in Ribáuè District own animals, programmes and policies for development are aimed at commercialization in medium- and large-scale sector animal farming. We found a lack of attention given to family sector animal breeding as a development factor in Ribáuè. Over the course of five weeks, we engaged in an ethnographically inspired, qualitative field study in Ribáuè District, the city of Nampula and the capital Maputo. Our gender and animal advocacy viewpoints allowed us to look at development as a holistic concept and determine effects beyond the immediately visible. Applying the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods approach, we identified a serious threat to the farmers’ livelihoods both in the short- and long-term, which we believe needs to receive much greater attention in policy-making. We found that animal breeding fulfils diverse functions, such as diversification of assets and diet, and generating and increasing resilience. It is crucial as mid-term investment and as a live bank. However, it is hugely insecure in all of these functions due to recurring shocks. Animal health issues are a major limitation for farmers. Therefore, animal breeding has little development scope for subsistence farmers at the moment, and is further diminished by commercialization plans for a minority of farmers, which overlook the complexity of the farming system and may negatively impact regional markets.  Development through intensive animal breeding reflects a dangerous short-term thinking. Sustainability and an important livelihood strategy for many are sacrificed for economic development of a few while exploitative systems are reproduced. / Em Moçambique, oitenta por cento da população depende da agricultura para a sua subsistência; sendo que a maioria desse montante é composto por pequenos agricultores. Apesar de altas no PIB e taxa de crescimento agrícola, a maioria dos moçambicanos em áreas rurais permanece abaixo da linha de pobreza. Mesmo que muitos agricultores de subsistência no Distrito Ribáuè – localizada na cidade de Nampula, capital Maputo – possuam seus próprios animais e façam parte de programas de desenvolvimento, políticas de apoio e suporte à comercialização costumam ser destinadas a setores rurais de médio e grande porte. Durante o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, identificamos falta de assistência à criação familiar de animais para o desenvolvimento da região de Ribáuè. Ao longo de cinco semanas, estivemos envolvidos em um estudo de campo qualitativo – com inspiração etnográfica – nesta região.  Nossa tese, baseada na análise de políticas de questão de gênero e animais nos permitiu um olhar para o desenvolvimento desta população com um conceito holístico, determinando efeitos para além do imediatamente visível. Ao aplicar a “Abordagem Sustentável dos Modos de Vida Rurais”, identificamos uma séria ameaça para a subsistência dos agricultores em curto e longo prazo – o que acreditamos necessitar de maior atenção na formulação de políticas públicas. Descobrimos que a criação de animais cumpre diversas funções sociais, tais como a diversificação de ativos financeiros e dieta, gerando e aumentando no poder de resiliência da população estudada. Para isso se manter, percebemos ser fundamental que a população invista em médio prazo, usando seus animais como recurso financeiro. Porém, recorrentes revezes costumam limitar essa iniciativa. Problemas de saúde em animais, por exemplo, são uma grande limitação para os agricultores. Por isso, criação de animais tem pouco espaço no desenvolvimento de agricultores de subsistência e é ainda mais reduzido por causa dos planos de comercialização de uma minoria de agricultores (por causa da complexidade do sistema de produção e a fragilidade dos mercados regionais). Desenvolvimento através da criação intensiva de animais ainda reflete um pensamento perigoso em curto prazo. Sustentabilidade e importantes estratégias de sobrevivência são sacrificadas para o desenvolvimento de curto prazo de uma minoria, reproduzindo a exploração de sistemas.

This thesis examines the intersection between religion and environmental ethics in Jainism. Religious traditions, as they confront the challenges of modernity, are redefining their traditional mores and narratives in ways that appear, and are, contemporary and relevant. One of the most striking ways in which Jains are accomplishing this, is through their self-presentation as inherently “ecological” through their use of “Western” animal rights discourse in tandem with traditional Jain doctrine. This essay seeks to explore the ways in which this is accomplished, and how these new understandings are being established and understood by members of this “living” community.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2008. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 384-398). Also available online in Scholars' Bank; and in ProQuest, free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (M.A.)--Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 2007. / 2 pages are numbered 158. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-158).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Calvin Theological Seminary, 1996. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.