‘The Bible’ of the Animal Movement: Peter Singer and Animal Liberation, 1970–76

Abstract

This chapter explores the creation, spread, and influence of Peter Singer’s ideas and his 1975 book Animal Liberation. This chapter explores how and why Singer and Animal Liberation became so influential and important. Arriving in a period of women’s, gay, and black liberation, Singer’s principles and his descriptions of animal exploitation persuaded and politicised the public, traditional welfare societies, and a new generation of animal activists. He provided an ideology that guided people to action. For some, Animal Liberation demanded a new form of radical politics and new organisations.