Bernard E. Rollin

Colorado State University, Institute of Animal Sciences

Papers

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About

Bernard E. Rollin is a towering figure in animal ethics and veterinary medical ethics, whose work has fundamentally reshaped how we think about our moral obligations to animals. A philosopher by training, Rollin is best known for developing the concept of "animal telos"—the unique nature and needs of each species—and arguing that our use of animals in agriculture and research carries a profound ethical weight. His most-cited paper, "Scientific ideology, anthropomorphism, anecdote, and ethics" (2000, 20 citations), challenges the scientific community's resistance to acknowledging animal consciousness, arguing that this bias has stifled both good science and ethical progress. Rollin’s influence extends far beyond the academy; he was instrumental in drafting federal animal welfare legislation and is widely regarded as the father of veterinary medical ethics. His work on the cognitive and emotional lives of farm animals, including sheep, is a direct challenge to industrial agriculture. With a career spanning decades, Rollin’s legacy is that of a passionate, uncompromising advocate who forced science and society to confront the sentient beings in our care.