Animal philosopher Aaltola takes a sensitive stance on animal protection issues, but at the same time warns against escalating matters.
– We have made big mistakes, as a species and collectively. And especially here in the industrialized West, and in Finland as well. Even if the animal industry is built, which causes very serious distress to really large numbers of animals.
As a philosopher, Aaltola believes that guilt and shame are moral emotions, the awareness of which can also be seen in the way humans see animals and treat other species.
– Now would be the time to experience guilt on a collective level, and also on an individual level. And through that, learn that we can also be better. You can also get rid of guilt when you realize that it’s okay, I made a mistake and now I want to change course – I want to be better for animals. We need this right now for today.
Although Aaltola talks about guilt, he does not believe that blaming or escalating will get you far in nature and animal protection matters. The danger is tribalism and confrontation between, for example, those living in cities and those living in the countryside.
– I try to avoid it, because it is actually the case that the vast majority of people care about the welfare of animals. Regardless of whether they live in the country or in the city, whether they are \”us\” or \”them\”. This is a unifying theme, as is nature. Yes, everyone understands that nature has value and the existence of species has value, that it is important to cherish the life that exists on this planet.
Aaltola’s vision of the future is hopeful.
– While I speak very directly, I try to evoke this we-spirit. We are all capable of moral, empathetic and rational consideration of other species.