The Moral Circle

"In The Moral Circle, Jeff Sebo defends, with engaging examples and plausible arguments, a disturbing conclusion: that the expansion of the moral circle beyond our own species, for which I have argued, does not go nearly far enough. I expect this book to trigger an important debate." -Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation and Animal Liberation Now

"Does what happen to an insect, a plant, or a robot, matter to them? Compelling thought experiments make The Moral Circle a fascinating read. Sebo’s conclusion that we owe a lot to a vast number and wide range of beings will surely expand readers’ empathy and compassion." -Barbara J. King, author of Animals' Best Friends and How Animals Grieve

"Albert Einstein said our task is to widen ‘our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures…’ Jeff Sebo would agree. But in this book Sebo shows us how complicated—and disconcerting—things get when we consider what that moral circle would include—and whether we can really justify leaving any living thing outside the boundaries of our moral concern. Elephants, pretty easy. Bugs? Plants? Plankton? You will disagree with parts of this book, but your own disagreement will leave you feeling uncomfortable, because the moral arguments are indeed strong; they challenge the self-interests that have shaped the ways we have treated—and mistreated—other beings." -Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel and Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe