Ethics and Animals; Approaches and Theories

How we treat animals is a subject of one branch of applied ethics called animal ethics. there are several approaches in animal ethics: analytic, continental, pragmatic and theological. On the other hand, ethicists have applied classic theories of ethics in this field and have taken up a position on animals. these theories are placed on two groups: (1) direct theories, (2) indirect theories. Kantianism and social contract are samples of indirect theories. Direct theories divided into two groups: theories believe in equality of animals and human beings, and theories believe in inequality. Researcher in ethics that aware of these approaches and theories applies them in particular subjects - like experiment on animals, using them in zoos and circuses, .... This essay intends to introduce these main frames in animal ethics, and suggests the best approach for society of Iran.