I'm Steve Joordens, a tenured professor from the University of Toronto Scarborough. I have discussed the issue of animal equality with my class because it is one that always provokes deep thought and discussion. I recently formalized this by asking them to react to a target piece in which I argue that the only way for humanity to move forward is for it to treat animals as equals. I also argue this change must begin within the scientific community, especially given the scientists go - for the most part - espouse Darwinian views, and those views undermine the "privileged humanity" perspective.

Recently my target piece was presented at, and accepted for publication by, the World Universities Forum in Davos Switzerland. If any are interested the paper is accessible from www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~psya01/A­nimalEthics2008.pdf. I also give talks on this issue so if anyone is interested in a speaker that can push others to think and discuss these issues without turning it into an emotion-based interaction, please feel free to contact me (joordens@utsc.utoronto.ca).

Time permitting, I'll add my 2 cents to some of the other threads here too. Thanks to the website organizers for promoting discussion on this critical issue.

Steve