Exploring the ethical basis of animal treatment in Malawi

Abstract

The paper argues that the maltreatment/cruelty and destruction of animals common in Malawi is rooted in an African form of utilitarian ethics and a biased conception of animals that is promoted by Umunthu/Ubuntu ethical discourse. It explores the possibility of developing or discovering a moral ground for animal ethics discourse in the African context. Finally the paper proposes a Kantian version of animal rights as a way of dealing with various forms of cruelty towards animals in Malawi.