Arkás commemorates World Animal Day with philosophical sketch

To mark World Animal Day on October 4, the well-known cartoonist Arkás released a poignant sketch that departs from his usual satirical style to focus on animal welfare.

The illustration features the emotive gaze of an animal, depicted with wide, fearful eyes and a single tear, emphasizing the capacity for suffering. Accompanying the image is a quote from the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham: ‘The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?’

This philosophical stance, originally presented in Bentham's late 18th-century work, remains a cornerstone of modern discussions regarding animal rights and ethics, shifting the focus from cognitive abilities to the undeniable capacity of animals to experience pain, fear, and distress.