Philosophical examination of pig welfare reveals tensions between utilitarian frameworks, rights-based approaches, and capabilities theory. Each framework has different implications for what welfare standards should require.
Philosophical frameworks for thinking about pig welfare have practical implications: utilitarian approaches justify farming if suffering is sufficiently minimised, while rights-based approaches may challenge farming itself. The capabilities approach focuses on what conditions allow pigs to thrive according to their nature. Engaging with these frameworks clarifies the ambitions and limits of welfare reform.