People long ago thought a lot about treating animals. Ideas about animal ethics go back to the 6th century BCE in India, Greece, and Jewish stories. Early ideas against hurting animals came from Hindu texts around 800 BCE. Both Hindu and Buddhist societies became vegetarian from the 3rd century BCE, based on non-violence. They believed animals felt things like humans and built animal hospitals. Jainism, starting in 600 BCE, taught complete non-violence towards all living things. In ancient Greece, Pythagoras (around 500 BCE) believed animals had souls and should be respected. But Aristotle (384-322 BCE) thought humans were above animals because they were rational. His student Theophrastus argued against eating meat. Judaism has rules in the Torah and Talmud about being kind to animals. One idea is not to cause animal suffering. The Noahide Laws also forbid eating live animals. Roman views on animals were mixed; they could be cruel but some cared. Romans developed the idea of "ius," meaning justice, which helped create the concept of rights, including animal rights viewed from the animal's perspective. Islam allows killing animals for food but forbids cruelty. Muhammad taught humane treatment during slaughter. Many beliefs, like animism, say animals have spiritual importance and deserve respect.
