Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy

Matthew Scully presents a rigorous moral critique of the industrialized treatment of animals, arguing that the concept of human dominion has been perverted into a license for cruelty rather than a mandate for stewardship. The book examines the ethical implications of practices such as trophy hunting, factory farming, and the use of animals in research, challenging the reader to reconcile their self-image as benevolent stewards with the reality of systemic exploitation.

Scully’s prose is persuasive and grounded, blending philosophical inquiry with accessible argumentation. He advocates for a shift from a rights-based framework to one centered on mercy and responsibility, suggesting that true dominion requires the capacity for compassion. The work serves as a foundational text in the animal welfare movement, urging a reevaluation of the human-animal relationship through the lens of ethical obligation.

Description adapted from Open Library bibliographic data ↗.