16 Июля 2026

Philosophical foundations of anthropocentrism

Dear colleagues!
The Translational Medicine Laboratory of the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine of Moscow State University, together with the Laboratory Animal Specialists Association (Rus-LASA), invites you to the seminar “Philosophical Foundations of Anthropocentrism.”
The presentation is devoted to reflecting on the philosophical foundations of the principles regulating our interactions with animals.
Anthropocentrism is currently being actively criticized by animal rights activists, as it is associated with the spread and entrenchment of practices excluding animals from the scope of ethical and legal norms. However, a philosophical and cultural analysis of this attitude shows that it is precisely anthropocentrism that encourages so-called “humane” attitudes toward animals and care for our “lesser brothers,” as it presupposes the responsibility of humans in a position of power. Animal rights advocacy, despite its verbal rejection of anthropocentrism, is anthropocentric in its discourse. The principle of humaneness, as described in the Federal Laws of the Russian Federation governing our interactions with animals, indirectly contains elements of an anthropocentric attitude. This contradiction is well known to lawyers and is analyzed in jurisprudence.
Our seminar will be held in person and remotely on March 20, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in Room D-4, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, located at 27 Lomonosovsky Prospekt, Bldg. 1 (Lomonosovsky Building, Moscow State University).
If you are not a student or employee of Moscow State University, please complete the form to obtain a building pass until March 17 inclusive: https://forms.gle/ZxocXP745WAZeGC78
The online broadcast will be available on the Big Blue Button platform. Link to the conference for online connection: https://bbb.fbm.msu.ru/b/vla-tny-6iy-may

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