THE "STATUS” OF NON-HUMAN ANIMALS FACE OF A GLOBAL SOCIETY OF RISKS

<p>The sustainability issue raised in major environmental meetings involves the maintenance of environmental quality for present and future generations. The challenge is to establish the harmonious coexistence between man, the environment and other living beings, considering the difficulties present in a global society of risks. The concern with the situation of non-human animal is old and widespread among scholars. There are several positions, among them, those who argue that the non-human animals would be "things" and, thus, they would not possess rights, and also those ones who analyze the issue under the biocentric approach, latter placing the animal and its own nature as members of a moral community, being considered as subjects of a life and, therefore, subjects of rights. Another great discussion that presents is the extent of the dignity of human life beyond. Within this perspective is that this article develops.