Wikipedia:Main Page history/2016 September 20

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Alasdair Cochrane

An Introduction to Animals and Political Theory, a 2010 textbook by the British political theorist Alasdair Cochrane (pictured), was one of the first works to link the question of animal rights to the concept of justice in political philosophy. Cochrane's book examines five schools of political theory—utilitarianism, liberalism, communitarianism, Marxism and feminism—and their positions on animal rights and the political status of (non-human) animals. He concludes that each tradition has something to offer, but ultimately prefers what he calls an interest-based approach, building primarily upon liberalism and utilitarianism. He argues that rights derived from interests can protect animals and place limits on what can be done to them; these rights cannot be violated, even in the name of the greater good. The Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics described the book as "the first introductory level text to offer an accessible overview on the status of animals in contemporary political theory". Cochrane's account of interest-based rights for animals was considered at greater length in his 2012 book Animal Rights Without Liberation. (Full article...)

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Did you know...

Explosive lenses

... that Project Y designed an atomic bomb that used explosive lenses (depicted) to focus an explosion onto a sphere?
... that Vladimir Saprykin was made a Hero of the Soviet Union after he was mistakenly reported killed?
... that philosopher Jessica Pierce argues that some animals may have a sense of morality?
... that British armed forces officers would place their swords on the table at court-martial as a symbol of putting their rank and reputation on hold?
... that Kyler Murray was the first player to compete in both the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game and Under Armour All-America Football Game?
... that the grey-headed imperial pigeon, the Sulawesi thrush, and the great shortwing are found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, while the Sula megapode is restricted to nearby Banggai and Sula Islands?
... that in 1747, the Custom House in Poole was raided by 30 smugglers, led by members of the Hawkhurst Gang?

In the news

Typhoon Meranti

Typhoon Meranti (pictured) affects China, Taiwan and the Philippines, causing at least 30 deaths.
The Chess Olympiad concludes with the United States winning the open event and China the women's event.
The wreck of HMS Terror, last seen in 1845 while on Franklin's lost expedition, is found off the south-west coast of King William Island, in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Passenger services begin on the 54-kilometre (34 mi) Moscow Central Circle rail line.
North Korea conducts its fifth and largest nuclear test to date.
NASA launches OSIRIS-REx, a probe sent to return samples from the asteroid 101955 Bennu.

On this day...

September 20: Eid al-Ghadeer in Iran and Iraq (2016)

RMS Mauretania

1066 – King Harald III of Norway and Tostig Godwinson, his English ally, fought and defeated the Northern Earls Edwin and Morcar in the Battle of Fulford near York, England.
1792 – The French Army achieved its first major victory in the War of the First Coalition at the Battle of Valmy.
1906 – The ocean liner RMS Mauretania (pictured), the largest and fastest ship in the world at the time, was launched.
1971 – Hurricane Irene moved west from Nicaragua, and crossed from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific, the first known tropical cyclone to do so.
2001 – During a televised address to a joint session of the United States Congress, U.S. President George W. Bush declared a "war on terror" against Al-Qaeda and other global terrorist groups.

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Today's featured picture

Woman Holding a Balance is an oil painting by Dutch Baroque artist Johannes Vermeer. Opinions on the theme and symbolism of the painting differ, with the woman alternatively viewed as a symbol of holiness or earthliness. The woman's actions have likewise been interpreted in several ways; at one time the painting, completed 1662–63, was known as Woman Weighing Gold, but closer evaluation has determined that the balance in her hand is empty. The painting is held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Painting: Johannes Vermeer

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