The Politics of Care and Dependence

Sor Juana lived within systems of profound dependence: dependent on Church approval, on male authority, on colonial structures. Yet she insisted this dependence did not negate her rights—rather, it intensified the moral obligation of those with power. This reframes how we understand animal rights. Domesticated animals exist in radical dependence on human systems; we created their vulnerability. This dependence is not a reason to deny them rights but the strongest argument for expanding protections. Those who control resources and systems bear heightened moral responsibility to those within their power. Factory-farmed animals, laboratory animals, and captured wildlife cannot advocate for themselves; their dependence demands our justice. Sor Juana's life demonstrates that dependence and moral worth are not inversely related. The most vulnerable often possess profound wisdom and dignity. Animals' dependence on human goodwill makes animal rights not a luxury but a fundamental justice demand.