Global Summer School on Animal Ethics held at Oxford explores ethical justifications for animal confinement
The Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics is set to host its annual Summer School from August 4th to 7th, 2025, at the historic and picturesque Merton College, University of Oxford. This year's theme, "The Ethics of Captivity," promises a comprehensive exploration of the moral implications surrounding the confinement of animals[1].
The Summer School will provide a platform for rigorous academic discussion, bringing together philosophers, ethicists, and animal welfare experts from various regions and disciplines, including ethics, law, history, economics, religion, and ecology[2]. The event aims to address questions such as the moral justification of animal captivity, the reasons for large-scale animal captivity, the harm caused to animals by denying them freedom, and potential solutions to reduce this practice.
The speakers will delve into the ethical implications of various practices that keep animals captive, such as agriculture, fur farming, experimentation, aquaculture, fashion, breeding, trade, menageries, zoos, canned hunts, circuses, aquariums, and even home confinements[1]. The discussions will extend beyond traditional captivity scenarios, encompassing farms, aquariums, sanctuaries, and companion animals.
One of the key topics to be covered is the tension between animal welfare and freedom, questioning whether keeping animals in captivity respects their intrinsic interests or causes harm through restricted natural behavior[1]. The Summer School will also consider the justification of captivity for purposes like conservation, education, or research, alongside the potential moral costs of these goals.
The final sessions will cover "Taking sentience seriously: Zoos and domestic animals" and "How captive animals are vulnerable to zoonotic disease." A panel discussion on aquaculture as the next moral frontier is also scheduled. The event will feature two concurrent programmes, with one focusing on "Evaluating the economic justifications for confinement in animal agriculture" and the other on "The ethical imperative for a pre-emptive ban on octopus farming."
Max Elder, Managing Director of Food Systems Innovations, will chair the panel discussion. The Summer School offers opportunities for delegates to socialize and discuss lectures and workshops during meals, socials, a champagne reception, and a Gala Dinner.
Dr Clair Linzey, Director of the Oxford Annual Animal Ethics Summer School, emphasises the need to broaden the conversation around captivity, encouraging a holistic approach that takes into account the psychological and physical well-being of captive animals, as well as the wider implications for biodiversity conservation and human interests[1].
While no specific new ethical frameworks or consensus outcomes from the 2025 Summer School were found in the search results, related discussions in Oxford-based forums often highlight the complexities of balancing animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and human interests in captivity contexts. The Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Summer School 2025 promises to be a thought-provoking event, shedding light on the ethical implications of animal captivity and offering insights into potential solutions.
[1] Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics (2023). Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Summer School 2025. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/summer-school/
[2] Merton College (2023). Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Summer School 2025. Retrieved from https://www.merton.ox.ac.uk/news/oxford-centre-for-animal-ethics-summer-school-2025-announced
During the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Summer School, attendees can delve into the ethical implications of animal captivity in various settings, including home confinement, zoos, and farms, as well as discussions on agricultural practices and pet keeping. Additionally, the event will also encourage learning about education and self-development, fostering a holistic approach for the psychological and physical well-being of captive animals, biodiversity conservation, and human interests.
