The North Carolina State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences joins with the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies to announce a workshop celebrating Professor Tom Regan’s contributions to ethical theory. The meeting is open to the public but seating is limited and available only on a first-come first-served basis. The gathering will be on the North Campus in Raleigh, NC, Withers Hall, room 331, on April 15 and 16.
In support of the festive occasion we invite well-wishers to leave greetings in the box below for Tom, seen here speaking at The Royal Institution, the world’s oldest independent research organization.
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3. Click on ‘Submit Comment.’
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Someone blurbed the second edition of The Case for Animal Rights by claiming that Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Kant, Bentham, and Mill “all thought seriously about the role of animals in our lives. But not until Tom Regan published The Case for Animal Rights did the world possess a theory of the rights of animals. When philosophy students come to this issue hundreds of years from now, they will read the greats in light of the arguments presented here.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Congrats, Tom!
Congratulations, Tom, on a wonderful career and on your many important contributions to all animals (human and non-human). I very much look forward to seeing you again in a few weeks and to celebrating your work with such a distinguished gathering of scholars. Here’s to many more years of scholarship and advocacy!
Tom, congratulations on all of your accomplishments and contributions to philosophy and to the animal rights movement. You have been an important influence in my life as both an animal rights advocate and a professional philosopher. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Congratulations, Tom! I’m so glad to see that you are being honored for all of your tremendous contributions to the field of animal rights. By the time I met you (summer of 1989) I did not need convincing in that area, but I can say with all honesty that you have been as much of an influence on me as anyone in my life. What I learned from you as student, research assistant, fellow activist, co-organizer, dog sitter, friend, was immeasurable, and I will always be grateful. Sending you and Nancy my best, with love, Lisa
Congratulations Tom – you’re a legend – it’s a privilege to know you. Hope it’s not too long before we meet again – a toast to you, with love (and, of course, big bear hugs).
I could not have written my books without your shining example! You are a beacon of light to all creatures and we would not be the same without you!
How I would wish to be there! Congratulations for all you have done for the animals.
Your contributions are unsurpassed. You are a lighthouse for the animal movement.
I look forward for our next meeting!
Dear Tom,
I had the honor to attend one of your
animal rights conferences many years ago,
and also attended a celebration at the University
library given to you by your colleagues to
mark the lifetime of work you have produced in
making a positive difference in this world.
Animal rights movement? Have we really seen change?
Sadly, the result a great man seeks is often an
elusive holy grail of sorts not attained within his
own lifetime. Like Moses, that leader is often
denied entry into the holiest of lands, but Tom,
as the spiritual father of the animal rights movement,
you have laid a most solid foundation for those of
us who follow your lead as we honor your work by
continuing to build structure upon your foundation.
With admiration and respect,
Robert Cohen
http://www.notmilk.com
i4crob@earthlink.net
I remember the occasion when I first met Tom, and his wife, Nancy, was at the RSPCA’s Cambridge “Rights of Animals” symposium in 1977. This is because we – me and Compassion In World Farming’s co-founder, Peter Roberts – were assigned to the “vegetarian” table, as were the Regans, in Trinity College’s baronial dining hall where we had our meals. At a dinner, the college served venison, which outraged the outnumbered non-meat-eaters isolated at our designated table. Coincidentally, Elvis Presley died during the conference. I remember us having a lively conversation for the nearby meat-eaters to over-hear at breakfast the morning the news broke. The King of Rock and Roll would be still reigning, we said loudly (and smugly), if he had not eaten so many cheeseburgers. Anyway, over the succeeding years, Tom and Nancy went onto become valued friends and colleagues as I made my way through the animal rights movement in the UK and US. Today, I consider our friendship to be most important. Their influence on me and my understanding of animal ethics is significant. Thank you!
Congratulations, Tom. Rare is the person who is both strong of mind and strong of heart.
Thank you for your kindness, your inspiration, and your extraordinary achievements.
The animal advocacy movement owes you an enormous debt, Professor Regan, and the body of work you have created will continue to inspire animal advocates for generations to come.
Indeed, I am glad to say that there is a young generation of animal advocates who are greatly encouraged and motivated by your ideas, and we will be able to see the extent of their engagement with your theories on ARZone when your Q&A is published in due course: http://arzone.ning.com/notes/Professor_Tom_Regan_ARZone_Interview
Best wishes from Ireland!
Congratulations Tom on a wonderful career full of excitement, conflict and good friends (among whom I count myself even though our paths have crossed so rarely in the past decade). I understand that you have taken up with your standard passion a new philosophical challenge the world knows simplistically as “golf.” I hope to be joining you (in spirit if not in body) in the same pursuit in the not too distant future. The world is a much richer place for your – and Nancy’s – contributions and I wish you and your family all the very best!!
Dear Tom & Nancy,
Thank you so much for your friendship and inspiration.
All the best from Sweden!
In the early spring, swallows start to migrate back to New York State. We can see them soaring in the air and display all kinds of aerobatics. Before the main flock arrives, there are two or three ‘scouts’ that arrive early, to survey their old nesting grounds, where they were born – are the trees still there, the nesting boxes, is everything as they remember it? Is it safe? The swallow scouts face all kinds of difficulties, sometimes its snowing or hailing, and ice can be on the ground, its a treacherous journey. They do it for the good of the flock. That is Tom and Nancy, scouts that arrive so early in a social justice movement, that at first it appears that they are crazy – so different to any other kind previous thinking and behavior. But then the flock follows, when the weather is warmer, and its easier for them for them to build the next generation. The swallows and all the animals are singing a dawn chorus for Tom and Nancy.
Tom and Nancy: Sue’s lovely and very meaningful comment is so apropos I cannot improve on it, except to add my individual thoughts about my long friendship with you both. While I was already an animal rights activist and artist when I met you both in 1985, the fact that you saw my work and sought me out was the most important moment of my involvement in AR and the arts. You not only got what I was doing, you were way ahead of me in thinking these things through. In so many ways, intellectually, morally and emotionally, you both stood as a beacon of reason and grace for me, and many like me, to follow.
My heartfelt thanks for all of that, and for, literally, changing the world for animals. Your influence has moved mountains. I see it every day in my teaching. Congratulations on this recognition among many others.
Tom is undeniably a revolutionary in moral philosophy by questioning the old dogma of anthropocentrism. Along with a few others in
Environmental Ethics, Tom has secured a place in the history of Philosophy. And behind every great man is a great woman, in this case, the gracious Nancy. It was a pleasure meeting both out here in Utah one year ago, and I regret not being able to attend this event.
Tom, you have given me and many other artists the courage and confidence to express our compassion through art. Our work and our lives are tribute to your influence.
Tom!
Congratulations! We first met in 1988 when I was just out of high school and you have and continue to be a shining example of speaking and acting from the heart.
I am so glad that your important work is receiving the attention it deserves!
Thanks for everything and then some, Tom – you’ve always been one of my heroes and the world is a much more compassionate place because of your tireless and selfless work to stop animal torture – you’re a model for everyone – all the best and much peace and love to you and to nancy – marc
Tom and Nancy!
Your marriage epitomizes the possibility of partnership to provide something bigger than your partnership! Thank you for providing intellectual, emotional, warm, caring, kind and generous activism for ALL living beings. My favorite Tom reference is about ALL beings having a SOAL…Yes, S-O-A-L….every living being is a Subject Of A Life…………their life, my life, your life, ALL life. THANK YOU for being my friends and for being alive on the planet while I’m here!
Veda
Dear Tom,
Your work continues to inspire. Thank you and congratulations.
This celebration is rightly earned and deeply deserved. Your work has helped so many. I glad to see you receiving the recognition that you richly deserve. Yours in the struggle,
Dear Tom and Nancy,
Very sorry that we can’t be there to help celebrate (and to soak up some NC sun). Wishing you both well, and looking forward to seeing you again soon.
Best wishes
Tom, Jane and Minnie
Congratulations, Tom Regan.
I enjoyed listening to a video of you online, very much. I do hope one day to meet you in person. You are very convincing, and I support you with all my heart.
The point that struck me as obvious, but now that I have listened to what you have said and have been trying to understand why you choose the way in which you stated that particular phrase in question, I have finally come upon the idea, and correct me please, if I am wrong, was that it was in this way you would most appropriately succeed to impress possibly even subconsciously into the minds of those who listen in order that they better realize how important your message is to the world, and especially for this, I thank you, greatly…
To which phrase, in particular, am I referring, and why? Simply stated, these couple of words show your thoughtfulness when you used the term <> to refer to animals… Brilliantly stated! Used in this way, Tom, it serves to emphasise this seemingly apparent parallel to those who might otherwise have missed this point entirely!
In retrospect, didn’t you mean to infer here (although not saying this outright) that human beings are just …human… animals, (although possibly the LEAST humane of the animals, ha, ha, ha?)… and that we sometimes separate these so-called … non-human … animals as “other” animals, whereas it is one and the same … type … merely another … animal … when considered to be named as such, we (humans) are classified as living beings coming out of one of the two kingdoms (plant kingdom/animal kingdom)?
I was also touched recently with a beautiful video that made me think of what you said regarding animal rights; the one impression I got from this short nine minute viewing narrated by a couple of compassionate Native American Indians was that animals, (including non-humans) are our family, being perhaps almost like our brothers and sisters of this Mother Earth, this wonderful planet of ours… Please watch it, when you have these precious moments in which to share this beauty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCnWZncHH2Y&feature=related
Don’t you agree with the underlying message in this short video that (as in your words) these … non-human animals … deserve respect?
And from a religious viewpoint (this might be difficult to grasp all in one go, because it is quite lengthy but it is highly recommended to refer to it from time to time, as you see fit) from looking at the article that the vegan Rabbi Simchah Roth recently published on his Web site:
http://www.bmv.org.il/v/vegan.html
…from which I gather Rabbi Simchah Roth encourages humans to adopt a greater sense of responsibility for animal rights (am I correct?) form a religious ethical standpoint?
Always wondering about whether or not room for more thought on this topic, isn’t there? I had once interviewed Reb Jason Van Leeuwen who was taking the approach that in order for a spiritual connection, one needs to adopt an ethical standpoint. Reb Jason Van Leeuwen stated that because of ethical considerations and avoiding pain and suffering to animals, Kashrut was a roadmap to vegetarianism ( … Kashrut … as in the laws of keeping Kosher) and that this land is not our land to do as we please with it, but it is G-d’s land!
Reb Jason here says that Kashrut is a roadmap to vegetarianism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE7hAXw7JPs&feature=related
and here from this link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JollyJanYorViewpoint#p/u/27/rihSLcD_3Ow
…in this rather drawn-out segment (I admit, yes, I realize I spoke much too much, ha, ha) but towards the end of it, Reb Jason Van Leeuwen exclaims that this Land indeed is G-d’s Land!
…and finally, the documentary produced and directed by Lionel Friedberg, called a Sacred Duty posted by Leo Fishman on YouTube featuring Richard Schwartz who wrote Judaism and Vegetarianism that can still be found freely at:
Note to moderator ignore first unsuccessful attempt, trying again without the less than greater than symbols that made certain words disappear or get excluded by accident, sorry for that…inexperienced…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RxmTGHZgE&feature=player_embedded#at=31
…something about this last link made me think about ones religious ties to the earth, as previously mentioned by Reb Jason Van Leeuwen, and wonder about the choice for the title of this movie, why … A Sacred Duty? … Have we been disobeying our Maker/Higher-Power/Universal-Deity/Almighty/Hashem/G-d/Allah/fill-in-the-blanks_________ whatever our faith, or lacking thereof, atheist alike, agnostic, religious or scientific?
What are your thoughts in general about Earth, please comment would you? Thanks!!!
Your work continues to inspire what I do to help make the world a better place for animals. I am continually grateful for your ideas; they always illuminate my own. Without the help of the Culture and Animals Foundation, my present research on farmed animals may still be dormant and would not have reached the eyes, ears and voices of so many others. It’s also quite heart-warming to present your work to my students every semester and see their eyes widen with so much surprise that they hadn’t considered animals in these ways before.
The title of this event is so appropriate! It is truly a Celebration! I can hear the animals (who aren’t really as voiceless as some say) celebrating along with us as we delight in the cultural changes you’ve begun.
Tom, thanks for “being there” for the animals! “Challenging the conceit of human superiority is no dishonour.” You do it with ideas, logic, reason, justice, respect, compassion, and love–and by example.
The way to animal liberation has many paths. Above ground, below ground. And I respect all paths.
Tom,
Thank you so very much for the education and inspiration!
Your words give me hope for a better future!
If everyone could listen and just open their minds…and heart…
Cheers,
Tracy
I first heard of you when I was in high school in Illinois in the late 80s. As a child of parents who didn’t consider a plate of food a real meal unless it had animal “protein” on it — like many parents of that generation and regrettably, even today — and as one of only two vegetarians in my 400-person high school class, I felt pretty confused about my nascent animal rights beliefs and personal moral system.
But, then I found you. I read The Case for Animal Rights and finally felt confident that (1) my instincts DID make sense and (2) I was able to explain to others more clearly than before why I chose this route. I read other publications on animal rights since then, but your book was my touchstone for a long time.
Fast forward a few years and you know the rest…As a freshman walking into my new college dorm I meet the fellow freshman assigned to the room next door to me and it was your fantastic daughter Karen, who quickly became and still is one of my best friends.
I don’t think until now I’ve ever really told you, Nancy or Karen how much your book helped me. I’m still working out the kinks in my moral system, trying to balance my actions with what I believe is right. I’ll get there, one day, and I tip my hat to you for the progress I have made. Thanks for helping me and so many others to grow, and a very big congratulations on all of your accomplishments and on entering this new phase of your life!
With love,
Julie
Congratulations, Tom, on fighting the good fight for all those years. We may not agree about everything, but we are united by our opposition to speciesism and our desire to make the world a better place, for both human and nonhuman animals.
Tom and Nancy, How well I remember all that time sleeping on your couch, arguing philosophy, and laughing at ourselves and the world. If I were in North America I would surely be with you on this special day. Dale
Congratulations, Tom. Although you and I have important philosophical differences, I think that you have made a real contribution to the field.
Best wishes,
Lynne
Dear Tom–Dear Tom and Nancy—it’s been so wonderful knowing you both, and sad that I won’t be there to celebrate this honor—dammit! Such regrets for such a great occasion. Tom, all the comments you have garnered are so deserved. You erected a philosophical platform to argue against those who saw us as bewildered “Bambis,”—and a well from which we will draw ideas for years to come. The Case for Animal Rights laid a philosophical foundation–and, I note from book reviews and elsewhere, that the arguments have now become respectable in academic and philosophical circles: We went from hating an evil “in our guts,” (which would be o.k. for me) to being able to say why exploitation of animals is an evil.
But for me, personally, you always bolstered my work and gave me the opportunity to have others hear what I had to say. You were both mentor and a generous supporter. Stay well forever.
Tom,
Congratulations. More than showing us what to think, you taught us how to think about the moral community. First-rate! (Sheila says hi. You still owe me that Gibson.)
LK
I’m always citing Tom Regan, as I think he provides a great overview of the most fundamental aspect of how rights for sentient human beings apply to sentient nonhuman beings. We critical animal scholars are very appreciative to those like Tom who paved the way for these ideas to be taken seriously in academia. We’ve still got a long way to go to rethink the humanism inherent in most scholarship at universities. The journey continues! Congrats and thank you, Tom!
Dear Tom,
Thank you for demonstrating the greatest value of philosophy, that clear and critical thinking can, and should, lead to compassion and community.
Your enduring support and encouragement has meant so much to me: thank you for that.
YITS –
Nathan
Many thanks to you Tom for the inspiration of your writing to both myself but also to countless others. I also have an everlasting gratitude to you and Nancy for your kindness and hospitality during the inaugural ASI fellowship back in 2007. Enjoy your well deserved workshop, many others will be there in spirit.
best wishes,
Richard,
Lancaster University, UK.
Dear Tom and Nancy,
It’s been a genuine pleasure to have been able to get to know you over these last two decades, at your wonderful Culture and Animals Conferences and through sharing our passions for the written word. Your good humor and commitment to the causes of animal rights, reasoned debate, and expansion of our moral concerns, as well as your breadth of other interests, have inspired me. I am sorry I won’t be able to attend your event, but please know that I wish you both the very best in the coming years. Thank you for your years of service.
Martin Rowe, Lantern Books
Hi Tom,
We can’t think of anyone who has worked harder or contributed more to the cause of Animal Rights. Sorry we are not able to be with you and Nancy for the workshop and celebration. We send our love and hope to see you both very soon.
Regards,
Margaret & Mike
Kudos, Tom!
Don’t know if you remember a mid-80s visit to Queens College, but we go back at least that far–and I wanted to thank you for nurturing my collegiate interest in animal theory and my activist advocacy at formative stages of development! The cause of animal justice will blossom, in great measure because you were/are one of its prime cultivators…
Cheers and enjoy the event!
Dear Tom, It has been a privilege to cross paths over the years and to be inspired by your erudition, personal warmth and unflagging dedication to animal rights. Thank you for the clarity and guidance you have given me and so many others who labor in the fields of justice.
Hi Tom,
Congratulations!! We are sorry we cannot be there celebrating with you, but want to acknowledge your tremendous contribution to the animal rights movement. Your continuous commitment to the cause is to be commended, especially in this day and age when many have blurred the lines between rights and welfare. You are truly a very unique and important pioneer of the movement and one of its best spokespersons. We appreciate all you have done. Keep it up!
Many Blessings,
Jacquie Lewis & Joe Gaziano
Jacquie Lewis, President
SPEAK
Supporting and Promoting Ethics for the Animal Kingdom
speakonline@comcast.net
http://www.speakonline.org/
Dear Tom and Nancy, I still remember the day in 1988 (or was it 89?) when I opened the mail and there was a check in the mail from the Culture and Animals Foundation to help me finish the writing of The Sexual Politics of Meat. It was such a hugh “Yes!” in a world that had been saying “No” to my ideas. Thank you for your early support, your ongoing witness, and your eloquent articulation of the viewpoint that animals are not ours to use, eat, or wear. Thank you for your ongoing support of young scholars. As you would say, “Yours in the struggle,” Carol
Tom,
You’ve influenced my life and work in ways both manifest and untraceable, subtle and profound. I’m immensely grateful to you for that and, more importantly, for your making life better for countless animals. Your “disciplined passion” has been a guiding light for me and so many others; both discipline and passion have been contagious in the best way possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Kathie
Dear Nancy and Tom,
Thank you for your wonderful visit to Brooklyn College all those many years ago.
Sincerely,
Elmer
Tom,
When I read The Case for Animal Rights in 1983, I was enormously impressed. I have been even more impressed in the years since, both with your body of work and your modelling of scholarship, philosophic depth and personal graciousness.
The world and the animals we share it with are the better for your presence,
Rob
Tom and Nancy,
Thank you for your tenacity and endurance in spreading the good word-and I don’t mean the Bible! (:
I feel so lucky to know both of you and to have you as my mentors in the study and struggle of animal liberation.
All the finned, feathered and furried are celebrating both of you, and all that you have contributed to this movement; as is this Boulder gal that is so honored to know both of you.
With deep love and gratitude,
Lisa
Dear Tom,
This is what happened to me this morning while walking to my office. There is a small river close to the University where some ducks live. Today, a mum with her sons and daughters decided to walk a little bit far away from the stream and a guy, with a stick, was rushing after her, with some of her babies already grasped in his hands. I stopped and conviced the guy to leave them free and to go away from them. The ducks went back to their pond, I believe, happy. I am not sure whether I would have stopped if I did not read your book “The Case for Animal Rights”, 20 yrs or so ago. As a consequence, while congratulating with you for this and many other achivements, I wished to let you know that, among these, you should also consider that you saved a family of Italian ducks.
My wife, Ale, and I will be unable to join the celebration physically — there is a big pond between us! — but we will be there in spirit, as always.
All the best, Tom and Nancy.
massimo
The Italian Animal Rights Movement’s tree has deeper roots and more fruitful and flowering branches thanks to you, Professor Tom Regan.
Your writings, your incessant work – and Nancy’s of course – and your example made us more aware and stronger in our battle.
Your lectures in our Country were injections of confidence and of strength for many activists and enlightening beams for many Damascenes.
From Alps to Sicily, from the biggest town to the countryside we say: thanks Tom, you are our lighthouse in the troubled water of our daily commitment for animal rights!
Arrivederci a presto!
Gianluca Felicetti and the whole LAV people
Dear Tom:
Thanks for all your contributions. Your honors are well deserved. Your work in philosophy has made NC State — and most importantly the world — a much more interesting place.
Ron
Thank-you for all you have done on behalf of other than human beings. You have been an inspiration to me personally and have helped clarify my moral position and perspective on life.