speciesism

American  

[spee-shee-ziz-uhm, -see-ziz-] / ˈspi ʃiˌzɪz əm, -siˌzɪz- /

Sometimes specism

noun

1. discrimination in favor of one species, usually the human species, over another, especially in the exploitation or mistreatment of animals by humans.

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speciesism British  

/ ˈspiːʃiːzˌɪzəm /

noun

1. a belief of humans that all other species of animals are inferior and may therefore be used for human benefit without regard to the suffering inflicted

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Other Word Forms

• speciesist adjective
• specist adjective

Etymology

Origin of speciesism

First recorded in 1970–75; species + -ism

Example Sentences

Ethicists such as Peter Singer, for example, have argued against speciesism — the idea that dogs should be considered off-limits while pigs, an animal that is no less intelligent, are commonly accepted as food.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2024

"This actually all comes down to speciesism, which is the misguided belief that some species are more important than others - and this is how humans justify mistreating animals."

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023

It is something that researchers have called speciesism: The thinking that, somewhat arbitrarily, justifies how some animals are perceived as pets or valued co-workers and others simply as food-in-waiting.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2023

What happens when humans resort to a kind of defensive speciesism in the name of humanism?

From Seattle Times • Nov. 25, 2022

But speciesism, the notion that humans are inherently superior to all other organisms and, therefore, entitled to exploit them, remains firmly rooted in our way of thinking — and acting.

From Washington Post • Jul. 15, 2022