Éthique et engagement dans un groupe antispéciste

Abstract

The article aims to give an ethnographic account of the ethics of an anti-speciesist Italian militant group. I defi ne the ideology underpinning their activism as "anti-humanistic anti-speciesism", since animal advocacy goes hand in hand with overt contempt for human beings. I classify the activities of the group into two different spheres: the sphere of ethics, defi ned in Max Weber's terms as an ideologically coherent lifestyle; and the sphere of morals, concerning - as in Emile Durkheim's vocabulary - the defense of the group from doctrinal and physical challenges. Finally, I claim that empirical research on ethical and moral phenomena is needed in order to improve our understanding of contemporary pluralistic societies.