Smith was born in Copenhagen. He was educated at Metropolitan School in 1772 and became teacher of philosophy and science at the Land Cadet Academy (1780 also at the Academy of Sciences) and in 1779 was awarded the title of Doctor of Philosophy.[2]
In 1775, he co-founded the Danish Literary Society and during 1778-1880 was co-publisher of the General Danish Library.[2] In 1780 he became rector of Nykøbing Falster and 1781 in Trondheim. He became an ordained priest in Nørvang Herred (1786), parish priest in Hvidovre (1788), second resident chaplain at Holmen Church (1789) and palace priest at Fredensborg Palace (1792).[2]
Animal rightsedit
Memorial to Laurids Smith at Holmen Cemetery
Smith was an advocate of animal rights and denounced animal experiments as immoral.[3] He was an opponent of vivisection and described it as "the most cruel injustice towards the animal".[3]
Laurids Smith believed that God had endowed animals and humans with the right to enjoy life.[4] The stewardship of animals therefore entails responsibility for humans since they have deprived animals of their freedom and this makes it vital that animals are treated well. Smith believed that animals could be eaten for food but not exploited beyond basic needs.[4] Smith was familiar with the arguments of Wilhelm Dietler. He argued against the idea that animals can not possess rights because they cannot understand the ideas of right and duty. He reasoned that if this was correct then children and mentally ill people would not have rights either.[3] Smith stated that animals have a "right to happiness".[3]
Smith held the view that animals are intellectual and sentient beings that are meant to experience happiness and joy as God intended.[5] In 1791, Smith authored a book on the nature of animals and human duties towards them.[6] The purpose was to bring "alleviation to the brute creation which is groaning under its sufferings".[6] The book attempts to substantiate demands for kindness to animals with evidence of animal intelligence.[6] It was published in Danish and German.[7] Smith was influenced by a 1711 work by Adam Gottlieb Weigen, another early animal rights writer.[7]
A monument in his honour is located at Holmen Church cemetery in Copenhagen.[7]
Selected publicationsedit
Versuch eines vollständigen Lehrgebäudes der Natur und Bestimmung der Thiere und der Pflichten des Menschen gegen die Thiere (second edition, 1793) [Attempted Systematic Treatise on the Obligations of Humans Toward Animals]
Forsøg til en Fuldstændig Lærebygning om Dyrenes Natur og Bestemmelse og Menneskets Pligter mod Dyrene (1800) [Essay of a Complete Doctrine of the Nature and Destination of Animals and Man’s Duties Towards Animals]
^Vaz, Estelita; Melo, Cristina Joanaz de; Pinto, Lígia M. Costa. (2017). Environmental History in the Making: Volume I: Explaining. Springer. p. 54. ISBN978-3-319-41083-8
^ abcBjørn Kornerup, P. G. Lindhardt: "Laurids Smith". Dansk Biografisk Leksikon, 3. Gyldendal 1979-84. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
^ abcdMaehle, Andreas-Holger (1993). "The ethical discourse on animal experimentation, 1650–1900". Clio Medica. 24: 203–251. PMID 7516841.
^ ab"Animal rights in the 18th century". Uppsala University. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
^ abcMaehle, Andreas-Holger. Cruelty and Kindness to the 'Brute Creation': Stability and Change in the Ethics of the Man-Animal Relationship, 1600-1850. In Aubrey Manning and James Serpell. (2003). Animals and Human Society: Changing Perspectives. Routledge. pp. 81-105. ISBN0-415-09155-1
laurids, smith, april, 1754, march, 1794, also, known, lauritz, smith, danish, clergyman, philosopher, early, animal, rights, writer, scandinavia, first, known, advocate, humane, treatment, animals, born, 1754, april, 1754copenhagendied22, march, 1794, 1794, a. Laurids Smith 12 April 1754 22 March 1794 also known as Lauritz Smith was a Danish clergyman philosopher and early animal rights writer He was Scandinavia s first known advocate of humane treatment of animals 1 Laurids SmithBorn 1754 04 12 12 April 1754CopenhagenDied22 March 1794 1794 03 22 aged 39 Holmen CopenhagenOccupation s Clergyman philosopher Contents 1 Biography 2 Animal rights 3 Selected publications 4 See also 5 ReferencesBiography editSmith was born in Copenhagen He was educated at Metropolitan School in 1772 and became teacher of philosophy and science at the Land Cadet Academy 1780 also at the Academy of Sciences and in 1779 was awarded the title of Doctor of Philosophy 2 In 1775 he co founded the Danish Literary Society and during 1778 1880 was co publisher of the General Danish Library 2 In 1780 he became rector of Nykobing Falster and 1781 in Trondheim He became an ordained priest in Norvang Herred 1786 parish priest in Hvidovre 1788 second resident chaplain at Holmen Church 1789 and palace priest at Fredensborg Palace 1792 2 Animal rights edit nbsp Memorial to Laurids Smith at Holmen Cemetery Smith was an advocate of animal rights and denounced animal experiments as immoral 3 He was an opponent of vivisection and described it as the most cruel injustice towards the animal 3 Laurids Smith believed that God had endowed animals and humans with the right to enjoy life 4 The stewardship of animals therefore entails responsibility for humans since they have deprived animals of their freedom and this makes it vital that animals are treated well Smith believed that animals could be eaten for food but not exploited beyond basic needs 4 Smith was familiar with the arguments of Wilhelm Dietler He argued against the idea that animals can not possess rights because they cannot understand the ideas of right and duty He reasoned that if this was correct then children and mentally ill people would not have rights either 3 Smith stated that animals have a right to happiness 3 Smith held the view that animals are intellectual and sentient beings that are meant to experience happiness and joy as God intended 5 In 1791 Smith authored a book on the nature of animals and human duties towards them 6 The purpose was to bring alleviation to the brute creation which is groaning under its sufferings 6 The book attempts to substantiate demands for kindness to animals with evidence of animal intelligence 6 It was published in Danish and German 7 Smith was influenced by a 1711 work by Adam Gottlieb Weigen another early animal rights writer 7 A monument in his honour is located at Holmen Church cemetery in Copenhagen 7 Selected publications editVersuch eines vollstandigen Lehrgebaudes der Natur und Bestimmung der Thiere und der Pflichten des Menschen gegen die Thiere second edition 1793 Attempted Systematic Treatise on the Obligations of Humans Toward Animals Forsog til en Fuldstaendig Laerebygning om Dyrenes Natur og Bestemmelse og Menneskets Pligter mod Dyrene 1800 Essay of a Complete Doctrine of the Nature and Destination of Animals and Man s Duties Towards Animals See also editJohn Lawrence Humphrey PrimattReferences edit Vaz Estelita Melo Cristina Joanaz de Pinto Ligia M Costa 2017 Environmental History in the Making Volume I Explaining Springer p 54 ISBN 978 3 319 41083 8 a b c Bjorn Kornerup P G Lindhardt Laurids Smith Dansk Biografisk Leksikon 3 Gyldendal 1979 84 Retrieved March 13 2020 a b c d Maehle Andreas Holger 1993 The ethical discourse on animal experimentation 1650 1900 Clio Medica 24 203 251 PMID 7516841 a b Animal rights in the 18th century Uppsala University Retrieved March 13 2020 Hauskeller Michael 2007 Biotechnology and the Integrity of Life Taking Public Fears Seriously Ashgate Publishing pp 63 64 ISBN 978 0 7546 6044 6 a b c Maehle Andreas Holger Cruelty and Kindness to the Brute Creation Stability and Change in the Ethics of the Man Animal Relationship 1600 1850 In Aubrey Manning and James Serpell 2003 Animals and Human Society Changing Perspectives Routledge pp 81 105 ISBN 0 415 09155 1 a b c Ingesman Per 2016 Religion as an Agent of Change Crusades Reformation Pietism Brill Publishers p 225 ISBN 978 90 04 30372 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Laurids Smith amp oldid 1206936328, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
