Katy Fulfer

Philosophy in the world

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The myth of a simple surrogacy

The call to better regulate surrogacy highlights the need to reduce possibilities for exploitation and other harms. Jessica Allen's experience as a surrogate reminds me that surrogacy will always be unpredictable. Yes, we need better regulation (in Canada and elsewhere). But surrogacy won't be simple. Superfetation, a rare occurrence in human pregnancy On October 25, the New York Post reported about a surrogacy that went wrong in an unexpected way: Allen conceived while gestating an embryo for … [Read more...]

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Towards a sexual biopolitics of rats

Humans love to hate on rats. But why? Rats are terrific! Rats, both "wild" and "domestic," are intelligent (similar to or more than many dog breeds), and "pet" rats are sociable and loving companions. Yet, rats seem more despised than other critters. One of my parents complains about my companion rats, though they've never met. Friends have cringed when I pull out my phone to share pictures. Strangers seem incredulous or annoyed when I encourage them to quit using the term "infestation" … [Read more...]

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Ethical rat companionship

CBC's The Current featured a panel discussion yesterday about the ethics of having pets. Although the panelists--Gary Francione (animal rights superstar), Jessica Pierce, and Stanley Coren mostly focused on dogs, rat companionship was raised. I have a few brief thoughts about providing a good home to rats, and about commodifying animals more generally. Commodifying animals Francione argues for an abolitionist position on pets (and animal use more generally). While he believes that humans have … [Read more...]

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Puppies, pigs, and the polis: Feminist relational theory and animal ethics

I've written before about my admiration for and struggles with some of Donna Haraway's work in animal philosophy, and about how helpful I find relational theory. After working through When Species Meet, I decided to teach a philosophy seminar on how relational theory has informed animal ethics! The course revolves around When Species Meet and Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka's 2011 book, Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights. Although these texts represent different philosophical … [Read more...]

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Queer theory: One goose at a time

I'm excited to me back in the class, discussing and learning with students. I thought I would share parts of my Queer Theory course on this space so people can see what we'll be doing--and of course, I always welcome suggestions and critical feedback. This course is cross-listed between Women's Studies and Philosophy. One goose at a time Curious about the subtitle, "One goose at a time"? Join us on October 5 to discuss Alex Johnson's "How to Queer Ecology: One Goose at a Time." I taught a … [Read more...]