IS DANIEL A MONSTER? REFLECTIONS ON DANIEL A. BELL AND WANG PEI’S “SUBORDINATION WITHOUT CRUELTY” THESIS

Daniel Bell and Wang Pei’s recent monograph, Just Hierarchy, seeks to defend hierarchical relationships against more egalitarian alternatives. This paper addresses their argument, offered in one chapter of the book, favour a relationship between human nonhuman animals. relationship, Pei argue, should conform what they call “subordination without cruelty:” it is permissible subordinate exploit animals for ends, provided that we do not treat them cruelly. We focus on three aspects view: argument view; understanding cruelty; account heightened duties claim owe who are intelligent, domesticated, and/or “cute.” argue reasons offer fail support conclusions, that, even if accepts view, conclusions draw about permissibility practices such as killing food follow. conclude by emphasizing philosophers’ responsibility thoroughly test arguments engage with existing debates, especially when seek justify involve harms great magnitude.