Let's re-think justice for animals
By Philip McKibbin
PledgeMe.Project
NZ $3,530 pledged
37 people pledged
Closed
NZ $3,500 minimum target
This campaign was successful and closed on 29/10/2017 at 4:00 AM.
Make a PledgeAbout
Let's Re-Think Justice For Animals
Project 2017-09-14 19:04:38 +1200
I need to your help to get to Mexico, so I can do my bit to help the animals.
I've had an abstract accepted for the Minding Animals International Conference in January 2018, entitled 'Loving Justice and Non-Human Animals'. As well as raising awareness around animal interests, I'm hoping to generate ideas that will help us to re-think justice, so that it's more loving for all of us.
In 2015, Max Harris and I sketched the Politics of Love, a values-based politics, which affirms the importance of people, and extends beyond us to non-human animals and the natural environment. Since then, I've published a number of articles on loving politics, including a piece for The Guardian, entitled, 'It is time to imagine our entire politics in loving terms'.
Now, I want to think about justice. In my presentation, I'll discuss 'loving justice', as it relates to non-human animals. I'll be arguing that loving justice can be understood as having two 'ends': the alleviation of suffering, and the promotion of human dignity. I'll explain why the alleviation of suffering (including that of non-human animals) should be central to our conception of justice. I'll also explore the idea that, because justice is a ‘human project’, a focus on human concerns is justified – but only where it doesn't harm animals. Finally, I'll outline why I think indigenous peoples could lead us in realising justice for animals.
First, though, I need to get there! The conference is being held in Mexico City - which is where you can help. I'm raising funds to cover the cost of my trip - including airfares, accommodation, and conference registration. I have some amazing individuals and some wonderful businesses behind me, and I'd love to have your support too! By donating to this campaign, you'll be enabling me to nurture these ideas, and helping to make my presentation a reality.
To find out more about this endeavour, visit my website: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/minding-animals/
I would like to thank Max Harris, Mezze Bar, Angel Food, and the New Zealand Vegetarian Society for their kind support, as well as Shane Hansen, for the use of his image 'Te Kōpara Topa'.
Comments
Updates 14
I have written and submitted the article
26/03/2018 at 6:41 PM
Kia ora koutou,
I have written up my conference presentation, and submitted it to an academic journal. I'm not sure that it will be accepted, but if it isn't I will consider other forms of publication.
If you are interested in reading the article, please let me know. I would love to share it with you.
Ngā mihi,
Philip
I'm back!
10/02/2018 at 2:53 PM
Kia ora koutou,
I have returned from the conference in Mexico City. It was wonderful!
If you would like to read about it and view some photos, visit the webpage: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/mac4
Those of you who selected a signed copy of Max Harris' book with your donation should have received this by now. (If not, it's winging its way to you, all the way from Oxford!) And those who requested a printed copy of the seminar will receive these within the next fortnight, along with another postcard of my favourite non-human animal! If you didn't request a printed copy of the seminar but would like to read the notes I made in preparation for it, email me at [email protected], and I'll send them to you.
I intend to write a paper based on my seminar, incorporating the feedback I received and the thinking I have done since. (I'm currently devouring the works of Carol Adams, Kim Stallwood, and Lori Gruen - all of whom made a strong impression on me at the conference!) I will let you know when this is published.
Finally, look forward to some exciting news about the Politics of Love. I have an article on loving politics and spirituality appearing online shortly - and there's much more to come!
Thank you again for your support. It has made a real difference to the development of this theory.
Me te aroha,
Philip
Run-through tomorrow evening
15/01/2018 at 12:27 PM
Kia ora koutou,
I leave for Mexico on Wednesday. I would love to share my conference presentation with you before I go.
I will be holding a run-through at Mezze Bar (9 Durham Street East) at 7:30pm tomorrow (Tuesday). It's free, and everyone's welcome, so please invite your friends. Here's a link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1113228152147603/
I hope to see you there!
Philip
Rewards
06/11/2017 at 8:49 AM
Kia ora koutou,
Just an update -
The crowdfunding rewards should start to reach you this week and next.
Those of you who selected the signed books - those will take a little longer, as they're travelling via Oxford, where Max is currently living. :)
Ngā mihi,
Philip
Thank you
29/10/2017 at 5:29 PM
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you so much for your kind support. We made it!
Some of you made very big pledges, and some of you made smaller ones. I want you to know that I really appreciate everything you did to help. It's wonderful to know that there are so many people out there who see the potential of loving politics, and who recognise that animals are important too. I'm really looking forward to taking this kaupapa to Mexico, and (eventually) spreading the ideas ever farther.
A special thank you to Max Harris, Angel Food, Mezze Bar, and Shane Hansen for their generous support of this project. These are some of my favourite people and organisations, so please continue to show them the love they have shown to this campaign.
I'll be organising the rewards over the coming weeks, and making sure they reach you as soon as possible.
He mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa,
Philip
PS: Earlier this week, Impolitikal's Sarah Illingworth and I published a conversation piece on love and politics. Check it out here: https://impolitikal.com/2017/10/26/weblog-what-is-love-how-can-it-benefit-politics/
Final hours
29/10/2017 at 7:49 AM
Mōrena,
Today is the final day of the campaign - it finishes at 5pm - and there’s still a way to go.
Please continue to tell other people about it. It's all or nothing - so if we don't get there, it doesn't happen. There’s still time, though, so let’s do what we can!
Ngā mihi,
Philip
Last days
28/10/2017 at 8:54 AM
Mōrena,
The PledgeMe campaign is in its last days. (It ends at 5pm tomorrow.)
Please continue to spread the word - a Facebook post, or a message to a friend, could be what brings this over the line. It's all or nothing, so it's really important that we reach the target.
Also, if any of you were thinking of pledging a little bit more, that would be extremely helpful too.
We're close. We CAN do this.
Thank you for your support!
Philip
Listen to the radio interview
27/10/2017 at 8:56 AM
Kia ora koutou,
Here is the link to my Radio NZ interview with Jesse Mulligan: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018619323/the-politics-of-love
There are three days left of the campagin - it ends 5pm on Sunday - so please continue to spread the word!
Again, a special thank you to all of you for your pledges, and especially to the anonymous donors - because I don't yet know who you are, I haven't been able to thank you personally.
Ngā mihi,
Philip
On the radio this afternoon
26/10/2017 at 8:08 AM
Mōrena tātou,
Thank you to all of you for getting behind this project. It is heartening to see the pledges coming in as the campaign wraps up - I am very, very grateful for the support.
Please continue to tell your friends about the project. We still have a long way to go - but we can do this if we pull together.
Yesterday, I was interviewed by RNZ's Jesse Mulligan. We talked about the Politics of Love, and why we should pay attention to non-human animals. I've been told the segment will air this afternoon! I'll post an update with the link when it's up on their website. :)
Ngā mihi,
Philip
It's crunch time!
22/10/2017 at 4:25 PM
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you again to all of you for your support of this project - I really appreciate it!
I have one more favour to ask. We're heading into the final week of the campaign, and there's still a long way to go. It's all or nothing: we either meet the target and secure the funding - or we don't, and miss out. There's no angel waiting in the wings for this one... You can help by spreading the word on social media, and telling people you know who might like to support this project. Every little bit counts, and we'll need it in order to make it over the line. This is doable - but I can't do it alone.
Also, I know many of you are keen to learn more about the Politics of Love. Earlier this year, I wrote a piece for Impolitikal, in which I attempted to answer the question, 'What is to be done?' The piece is called 'Realising the Politics of Love'. It outlines the theory, and suggests steps we can take to realise loving politics. Check it out here: https://impolitikal.com/2017/08/27/philip-mckibbin-realising-the-politics-of-love/ And keep an eye out for the conversation piece that Sarah Illingworth (co-editor of Impolitikal) and I have just finished writing on love - it will be published on Impolitikal soon!
Ngā mihi,
Philip
PS: An extra-special thank you to the anonymous donors! I've been able to personally thank those who have put names to their pledges, but I don't yet know who the anonymous donors are...
Spread the word
16/10/2017 at 2:10 PM
Kia ora koutou!
Thank you again for your support.
Time is running out, and we still have a long way to go. It's all or nothing - so if we don't meet the target, it doesn't happen.
If you can, please spread the word! A post on Facebook can go a long way, or telling a friend who might be keen to support it...
Also, if you're keen to learn more about the Politics of Love, check out this article on loving politics and terrorism: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/hijacked-emotions
Thank you again!
Philip
Thank you
09/10/2017 at 4:43 PM
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you to those of you who came to the Public Discussion on Saturday!
Here are some points I took from the session – in the form of questions to be explored:
1. Are there Māori concepts other than ‘aroha’ (e.g. ‘manawa’) that might help us to arrive at a clearer understanding of love?
2. Is love really opposed to suffering? If it's true that we come to an understanding of love (at least in part) through suffering, might this claim need to be revised?
3. Does our human dignity come, in part, from our relationship with non-human animals? And if so, what implications does this have for our understanding of where animals fit into our conception of justice?
4. Is there a better term than 'dignity' to capture what justice might promote for humans? (‘Flourishing’ was raised; another might be ‘well-being’, or some particular aspect of it.)
5. Is the term 'non-human animals' too encompassing? Does it brush over differences between species (e.g. their capacity for sentience, for which a proxy might be their relative similarity to human beings) that could be relevant in determining their place(s) in our conception of justice?
I really appreciate the thought and generosity that went into our discussion.
He mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa.
Philip
Public discussion tomorrow!
06/10/2017 at 10:46 AM
Kia ora koutou,
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated so far!
I'm holding a Public Discussion tomorrow on the topic 'Loving Justice and Non-Human Animals'. It would be great to see you there! Come along and share your thoughts, or simply listen to what other people have to say - and bring your friends!
Here are the details:
10:30am, Saturday 7 October
Studio One - Toi Tū (1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1927915337460014/
Ngā mihi,
Philip
A good start!
24/09/2017 at 4:00 PM
Kia ora koutou,
First, let me express my condolences to those in Mexico City, as they recover from this week's earthquake.
Thank you to those who have donated to my campaign - there's still a long way to go, but we've made a good start! I really appreciate your support, and I'm looking forward to sharing my ideas with you as I develop them.
In the meantime, here's an article I wrote last year for Vegetarian Living, the NZ Vegetarian Society's magazine: 'For the Love of Animals' http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/for-the-love-of-animals
Thank you,
Philip
Pledgers 37
29/10/2017 at 4:25pm
"Bon Voyage!"
29/10/2017 at 11:48am
29/10/2017 at 9:09am
28/10/2017 at 9:52am
28/10/2017 at 9:38am
26/10/2017 at 2:25pm
26/10/2017 at 7:04am
"Ina te mahi he rangatira. Karawhiua e hoa!"
25/10/2017 at 10:35pm
"Good luck!"
25/10/2017 at 9:13pm
"Kia kaha e hoa! "
25/10/2017 at 7:26pm
25/10/2017 at 3:44pm
"Love form Minnie"
25/10/2017 at 3:03pm
25/10/2017 at 3:00pm
"The power of love"
25/10/2017 at 2:56pm
"Hope you make it mate kia kaha"
23/10/2017 at 11:38pm
23/10/2017 at 5:10pm
"All the best, Philip! "
23/10/2017 at 6:42am
"Great thinking, take it to the world!"
22/10/2017 at 3:38pm
21/10/2017 at 1:04pm
"All the best :)"
15/10/2017 at 7:35pm
"<3 "
15/10/2017 at 5:08pm
"Kia kaha!"
12/10/2017 at 1:57am
"Best of luck, kia kaha!"
08/10/2017 at 2:05pm
"Good luck Philip!"
05/10/2017 at 2:06am
"O wise Philiposopher, is there any better "guinea pig" than a guinea pig?"
04/10/2017 at 5:28pm
"Kia manawanui e kare"
03/10/2017 at 8:35am
27/09/2017 at 1:35pm
26/09/2017 at 5:10pm
"Kia kaha e hoa. "
25/09/2017 at 10:08pm
25/09/2017 at 4:50pm
Followers
Followers of Let's re-think justice for animals
Let's Re-Think Justice For Animals
Project 2017-09-14 19:04:38 +1200
I need to your help to get to Mexico, so I can do my bit to help the animals.
I've had an abstract accepted for the Minding Animals International Conference in January 2018, entitled 'Loving Justice and Non-Human Animals'. As well as raising awareness around animal interests, I'm hoping to generate ideas that will help us to re-think justice, so that it's more loving for all of us.
In 2015, Max Harris and I sketched the Politics of Love, a values-based politics, which affirms the importance of people, and extends beyond us to non-human animals and the natural environment. Since then, I've published a number of articles on loving politics, including a piece for The Guardian, entitled, 'It is time to imagine our entire politics in loving terms'.
Now, I want to think about justice. In my presentation, I'll discuss 'loving justice', as it relates to non-human animals. I'll be arguing that loving justice can be understood as having two 'ends': the alleviation of suffering, and the promotion of human dignity. I'll explain why the alleviation of suffering (including that of non-human animals) should be central to our conception of justice. I'll also explore the idea that, because justice is a ‘human project’, a focus on human concerns is justified – but only where it doesn't harm animals. Finally, I'll outline why I think indigenous peoples could lead us in realising justice for animals.
First, though, I need to get there! The conference is being held in Mexico City - which is where you can help. I'm raising funds to cover the cost of my trip - including airfares, accommodation, and conference registration. I have some amazing individuals and some wonderful businesses behind me, and I'd love to have your support too! By donating to this campaign, you'll be enabling me to nurture these ideas, and helping to make my presentation a reality.
To find out more about this endeavour, visit my website: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/minding-animals/
I would like to thank Max Harris, Mezze Bar, Angel Food, and the New Zealand Vegetarian Society for their kind support, as well as Shane Hansen, for the use of his image 'Te Kōpara Topa'.
Comments
I have written and submitted the article
26/03/2018 at 6:41 PM
Kia ora koutou,
I have written up my conference presentation, and submitted it to an academic journal. I'm not sure that it will be accepted, but if it isn't I will consider other forms of publication.
If you are interested in reading the article, please let me know. I would love to share it with you.
Ngā mihi,
Philip
I'm back!
10/02/2018 at 2:53 PM
Kia ora koutou,
I have returned from the conference in Mexico City. It was wonderful!
If you would like to read about it and view some photos, visit the webpage: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/mac4
Those of you who selected a signed copy of Max Harris' book with your donation should have received this by now. (If not, it's winging its way to you, all the way from Oxford!) And those who requested a printed copy of the seminar will receive these within the next fortnight, along with another postcard of my favourite non-human animal! If you didn't request a printed copy of the seminar but would like to read the notes I made in preparation for it, email me at [email protected], and I'll send them to you.
I intend to write a paper based on my seminar, incorporating the feedback I received and the thinking I have done since. (I'm currently devouring the works of Carol Adams, Kim Stallwood, and Lori Gruen - all of whom made a strong impression on me at the conference!) I will let you know when this is published.
Finally, look forward to some exciting news about the Politics of Love. I have an article on loving politics and spirituality appearing online shortly - and there's much more to come!
Thank you again for your support. It has made a real difference to the development of this theory.
Me te aroha,
Philip
Run-through tomorrow evening
15/01/2018 at 12:27 PM
Kia ora koutou,
I leave for Mexico on Wednesday. I would love to share my conference presentation with you before I go.
I will be holding a run-through at Mezze Bar (9 Durham Street East) at 7:30pm tomorrow (Tuesday). It's free, and everyone's welcome, so please invite your friends. Here's a link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1113228152147603/
I hope to see you there!
Philip
Rewards
06/11/2017 at 8:49 AM
Kia ora koutou,
Just an update -
The crowdfunding rewards should start to reach you this week and next.
Those of you who selected the signed books - those will take a little longer, as they're travelling via Oxford, where Max is currently living. :)
Ngā mihi,
Philip
Thank you
29/10/2017 at 5:29 PM
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you so much for your kind support. We made it!
Some of you made very big pledges, and some of you made smaller ones. I want you to know that I really appreciate everything you did to help. It's wonderful to know that there are so many people out there who see the potential of loving politics, and who recognise that animals are important too. I'm really looking forward to taking this kaupapa to Mexico, and (eventually) spreading the ideas ever farther.
A special thank you to Max Harris, Angel Food, Mezze Bar, and Shane Hansen for their generous support of this project. These are some of my favourite people and organisations, so please continue to show them the love they have shown to this campaign.
I'll be organising the rewards over the coming weeks, and making sure they reach you as soon as possible.
He mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa,
Philip
PS: Earlier this week, Impolitikal's Sarah Illingworth and I published a conversation piece on love and politics. Check it out here: https://impolitikal.com/2017/10/26/weblog-what-is-love-how-can-it-benefit-politics/
Final hours
29/10/2017 at 7:49 AM
Mōrena,
Today is the final day of the campaign - it finishes at 5pm - and there’s still a way to go.
Please continue to tell other people about it. It's all or nothing - so if we don't get there, it doesn't happen. There’s still time, though, so let’s do what we can!
Ngā mihi,
Philip
Last days
28/10/2017 at 8:54 AM
Mōrena,
The PledgeMe campaign is in its last days. (It ends at 5pm tomorrow.)
Please continue to spread the word - a Facebook post, or a message to a friend, could be what brings this over the line. It's all or nothing, so it's really important that we reach the target.
Also, if any of you were thinking of pledging a little bit more, that would be extremely helpful too.
We're close. We CAN do this.
Thank you for your support!
Philip
Listen to the radio interview
27/10/2017 at 8:56 AM
Kia ora koutou,
Here is the link to my Radio NZ interview with Jesse Mulligan: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018619323/the-politics-of-love
There are three days left of the campagin - it ends 5pm on Sunday - so please continue to spread the word!
Again, a special thank you to all of you for your pledges, and especially to the anonymous donors - because I don't yet know who you are, I haven't been able to thank you personally.
Ngā mihi,
Philip
On the radio this afternoon
26/10/2017 at 8:08 AM
Mōrena tātou,
Thank you to all of you for getting behind this project. It is heartening to see the pledges coming in as the campaign wraps up - I am very, very grateful for the support.
Please continue to tell your friends about the project. We still have a long way to go - but we can do this if we pull together.
Yesterday, I was interviewed by RNZ's Jesse Mulligan. We talked about the Politics of Love, and why we should pay attention to non-human animals. I've been told the segment will air this afternoon! I'll post an update with the link when it's up on their website. :)
Ngā mihi,
Philip
It's crunch time!
22/10/2017 at 4:25 PM
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you again to all of you for your support of this project - I really appreciate it!
I have one more favour to ask. We're heading into the final week of the campaign, and there's still a long way to go. It's all or nothing: we either meet the target and secure the funding - or we don't, and miss out. There's no angel waiting in the wings for this one... You can help by spreading the word on social media, and telling people you know who might like to support this project. Every little bit counts, and we'll need it in order to make it over the line. This is doable - but I can't do it alone.
Also, I know many of you are keen to learn more about the Politics of Love. Earlier this year, I wrote a piece for Impolitikal, in which I attempted to answer the question, 'What is to be done?' The piece is called 'Realising the Politics of Love'. It outlines the theory, and suggests steps we can take to realise loving politics. Check it out here: https://impolitikal.com/2017/08/27/philip-mckibbin-realising-the-politics-of-love/ And keep an eye out for the conversation piece that Sarah Illingworth (co-editor of Impolitikal) and I have just finished writing on love - it will be published on Impolitikal soon!
Ngā mihi,
Philip
PS: An extra-special thank you to the anonymous donors! I've been able to personally thank those who have put names to their pledges, but I don't yet know who the anonymous donors are...
Spread the word
16/10/2017 at 2:10 PM
Kia ora koutou!
Thank you again for your support.
Time is running out, and we still have a long way to go. It's all or nothing - so if we don't meet the target, it doesn't happen.
If you can, please spread the word! A post on Facebook can go a long way, or telling a friend who might be keen to support it...
Also, if you're keen to learn more about the Politics of Love, check out this article on loving politics and terrorism: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/hijacked-emotions
Thank you again!
Philip
Thank you
09/10/2017 at 4:43 PM
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you to those of you who came to the Public Discussion on Saturday!
Here are some points I took from the session – in the form of questions to be explored:
1. Are there Māori concepts other than ‘aroha’ (e.g. ‘manawa’) that might help us to arrive at a clearer understanding of love?
2. Is love really opposed to suffering? If it's true that we come to an understanding of love (at least in part) through suffering, might this claim need to be revised?
3. Does our human dignity come, in part, from our relationship with non-human animals? And if so, what implications does this have for our understanding of where animals fit into our conception of justice?
4. Is there a better term than 'dignity' to capture what justice might promote for humans? (‘Flourishing’ was raised; another might be ‘well-being’, or some particular aspect of it.)
5. Is the term 'non-human animals' too encompassing? Does it brush over differences between species (e.g. their capacity for sentience, for which a proxy might be their relative similarity to human beings) that could be relevant in determining their place(s) in our conception of justice?
I really appreciate the thought and generosity that went into our discussion.
He mihi nunui ki a koutou katoa.
Philip
Public discussion tomorrow!
06/10/2017 at 10:46 AM
Kia ora koutou,
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated so far!
I'm holding a Public Discussion tomorrow on the topic 'Loving Justice and Non-Human Animals'. It would be great to see you there! Come along and share your thoughts, or simply listen to what other people have to say - and bring your friends!
Here are the details:
10:30am, Saturday 7 October
Studio One - Toi Tū (1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1927915337460014/
Ngā mihi,
Philip
A good start!
24/09/2017 at 4:00 PM
Kia ora koutou,
First, let me express my condolences to those in Mexico City, as they recover from this week's earthquake.
Thank you to those who have donated to my campaign - there's still a long way to go, but we've made a good start! I really appreciate your support, and I'm looking forward to sharing my ideas with you as I develop them.
In the meantime, here's an article I wrote last year for Vegetarian Living, the NZ Vegetarian Society's magazine: 'For the Love of Animals' http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/for-the-love-of-animals
Thank you,
Philip
29/10/2017 at 4:25pm
"Bon Voyage!"
29/10/2017 at 11:48am
29/10/2017 at 9:09am
28/10/2017 at 9:52am
28/10/2017 at 9:38am
26/10/2017 at 2:25pm
26/10/2017 at 7:04am
"Ina te mahi he rangatira. Karawhiua e hoa!"
25/10/2017 at 10:35pm
"Good luck!"
25/10/2017 at 9:13pm
"Kia kaha e hoa! "
25/10/2017 at 7:26pm
25/10/2017 at 3:44pm
"Love form Minnie"
25/10/2017 at 3:03pm
25/10/2017 at 3:00pm
"The power of love"
25/10/2017 at 2:56pm
"Hope you make it mate kia kaha"
23/10/2017 at 11:38pm
23/10/2017 at 5:10pm
"All the best, Philip! "
23/10/2017 at 6:42am
"Great thinking, take it to the world!"
22/10/2017 at 3:38pm
21/10/2017 at 1:04pm
"All the best :)"
15/10/2017 at 7:35pm
"<3 "
15/10/2017 at 5:08pm
"Kia kaha!"
12/10/2017 at 1:57am
"Best of luck, kia kaha!"
08/10/2017 at 2:05pm
"Good luck Philip!"
05/10/2017 at 2:06am
"O wise Philiposopher, is there any better "guinea pig" than a guinea pig?"
04/10/2017 at 5:28pm
"Kia manawanui e kare"
03/10/2017 at 8:35am
27/09/2017 at 1:35pm
26/09/2017 at 5:10pm
"Kia kaha e hoa. "