Tom Regan (/ˈreɪɡən/;[1] November 28, 1938 – February 17, 2017) was an American philosopher who specialized inanimal rights theory. He was professor emeritus of philosophy atNorth Carolina State University, where he had taught from 1967 until his retirement in 2001.[2]
Regan was the author of numerous books on the philosophy of animal rights, includingThe Case for Animal Rights (1983), one of a handful of studies that have significantly influenced the modernanimal rights movement. In these, he argued that non-human animals are what he called the "subjects-of-a-life", just as humans are, and that, if we want to ascribe value to all human beings regardless of their ability to be rational agents, then to be consistent, we must similarly ascribe it to non-humans.[3]
From 1985, Regan served with his wife Nancy as co-founder and co-president of the Culture and Animals Foundation, a nonprofit organization "committed to fostering the growth of intellectual and artistic endeavors united by a positive concern for animals".[4]The Vegan Society remembers him as "a stalwart vegan and activist".[5]
Regan graduated fromThiel College in 1960, receiving his M.A. in 1962 and his PhD in 1966 from theUniversity of Virginia. He taught philosophy atNorth Carolina State University from 1967 until 2001. In 2001 Regan worked with the NC State University Libraries to help establish the Tom Regan Archives, the first US archive focused on animal rights. Regan directed the 1986 filmWe Are All Noah,[6]
Regan and his wife Nancy had two children.[7] Regan died ofpneumonia at his home in North Carolina on February 17, 2017.[7]
Regan's papers including correspondence, research files and audiovisual materials are stored at the Special Collections Research Center inNC State University Libraries.[8] The Special Collections Research Center at NC State University set up an annual fellowship in memory of Regan.[9]
