Nico Müller
@nicodmueller.bsky.social
🐾 Animal rights | 🐭 Animal experimentation ethics | ☝️ Kantian ethics | 📚 I post about books I'm reading & engage in shameless self-promotion
Philosopher at University of Basel🇨🇭| https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0866-8235
Philosopher at University of Basel🇨🇭| https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0866-8235
Reposted by Nico Müller
🚨 New paper out today 🚨
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
Lane-Petter’s Pipeline: Why reliably decreasing animal research takes more than replacements
rdcu.be
January 29, 2026 at 3:22 PM
🚨 New paper out today 🚨
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
🚨 New paper out today 🚨
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
Lane-Petter’s Pipeline: Why reliably decreasing animal research takes more than replacements
rdcu.be
January 29, 2026 at 3:22 PM
🚨 New paper out today 🚨
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
The message is simple: As we replace some animal experiments with alternatives, new animal experiments are also being innovated.
If our policy goal is inflicting less harm on animals in science, replacement won’t be enough. We also need a shift in model innovation. 🐭📉
Reposted by Nico Müller
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
In a new paper in Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Eze Paez and I introduce “sentientist political liberalism,” an attempt to reconcile the ideas of society as a system of cooperation and public justification with taking animals seriously.
In a new paper in Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Eze Paez and I introduce “sentientist political liberalism,” an attempt to reconcile the ideas of society as a system of cooperation and public justification with taking animals seriously.
Sentientist Political Liberalism
This paper introduces sentientist political liberalism. Elaborating on the fundamental ideas in John Rawls's political liberalism, we propose that the scheme of fair social cooperation among persons ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:33 AM
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
In a new paper in Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Eze Paez and I introduce “sentientist political liberalism,” an attempt to reconcile the ideas of society as a system of cooperation and public justification with taking animals seriously.
In a new paper in Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Eze Paez and I introduce “sentientist political liberalism,” an attempt to reconcile the ideas of society as a system of cooperation and public justification with taking animals seriously.
Had a good time at yesterday's Swiss Animal Protection meeting! 👍
I talked about why I think phase-out planning for animal experimentation is a good idea, if it's done well. 🐭📉
It was also great to meet Love Hansell again. Check out his work, if you haven't yet: doi.org/10.25453/pla...
I talked about why I think phase-out planning for animal experimentation is a good idea, if it's done well. 🐭📉
It was also great to meet Love Hansell again. Check out his work, if you haven't yet: doi.org/10.25453/pla...
December 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Had a good time at yesterday's Swiss Animal Protection meeting! 👍
I talked about why I think phase-out planning for animal experimentation is a good idea, if it's done well. 🐭📉
It was also great to meet Love Hansell again. Check out his work, if you haven't yet: doi.org/10.25453/pla...
I talked about why I think phase-out planning for animal experimentation is a good idea, if it's done well. 🐭📉
It was also great to meet Love Hansell again. Check out his work, if you haven't yet: doi.org/10.25453/pla...
📣❗New article out now!
rdcu.be/eSSNa
I explain how to do "nonideal animal research ethics" – it involves spelling out ethical goals first, then mapping ethical pathways to get there. I think we should do this more often because…
rdcu.be/eSSNa
I explain how to do "nonideal animal research ethics" – it involves spelling out ethical goals first, then mapping ethical pathways to get there. I think we should do this more often because…
December 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
📣❗New article out now!
rdcu.be/eSSNa
I explain how to do "nonideal animal research ethics" – it involves spelling out ethical goals first, then mapping ethical pathways to get there. I think we should do this more often because…
rdcu.be/eSSNa
I explain how to do "nonideal animal research ethics" – it involves spelling out ethical goals first, then mapping ethical pathways to get there. I think we should do this more often because…
Reposted by Nico Müller
On the latest episode of Knowing Animals, I speak to Doris Schneeberger about her 2024 Palgrave book Envisioning a Better Future for Nonhuman Animals: Towards Future Animal Rights Declarations. The episode is available free below or in all the usual places.
knowinganimals.libsyn.com/episode-243-...
knowinganimals.libsyn.com/episode-243-...
November 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
On the latest episode of Knowing Animals, I speak to Doris Schneeberger about her 2024 Palgrave book Envisioning a Better Future for Nonhuman Animals: Towards Future Animal Rights Declarations. The episode is available free below or in all the usual places.
knowinganimals.libsyn.com/episode-243-...
knowinganimals.libsyn.com/episode-243-...
🥳 I'll post the paper when it's out!
October 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM
🥳 I'll post the paper when it's out!
It's pretty encouraging to read this in Nature! 🐭📉
I'd just add that (a) NAMs shouldn't be reduced to mere "alternatives" to animal models (just like chickpeas aren't just meat replacements); (b) bottom-up acceptance of NAMs is part of the solution, but some top-down strategy is needed too.
I'd just add that (a) NAMs shouldn't be reduced to mere "alternatives" to animal models (just like chickpeas aren't just meat replacements); (b) bottom-up acceptance of NAMs is part of the solution, but some top-down strategy is needed too.
Alternatives to animal testing are the future — it’s time that journals, funders and scientists embrace them
Biomedical research techniques that don’t involve the use of animals are gaining momentum, but those using innovative approaches still face resistance from some quarters.
www.nature.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
It's pretty encouraging to read this in Nature! 🐭📉
I'd just add that (a) NAMs shouldn't be reduced to mere "alternatives" to animal models (just like chickpeas aren't just meat replacements); (b) bottom-up acceptance of NAMs is part of the solution, but some top-down strategy is needed too.
I'd just add that (a) NAMs shouldn't be reduced to mere "alternatives" to animal models (just like chickpeas aren't just meat replacements); (b) bottom-up acceptance of NAMs is part of the solution, but some top-down strategy is needed too.
Surprising no one, the 🇨🇭 Federal Council today recommended rejecting yet another popular initiative aiming to ban #AnimalExperimentation. 🐭🧪❌
In my view, these initiatives foster the wrong kind of discussion – a crude Pro vs Con. What we need is a debate about the How of moving forward.
In my view, these initiatives foster the wrong kind of discussion – a crude Pro vs Con. What we need is a debate about the How of moving forward.
Le Conseil fédéral recommande de rejeter l’initiative populaire fédérale «Oui à un avenir sans expérimentation animale»
www.news.admin.ch
October 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Surprising no one, the 🇨🇭 Federal Council today recommended rejecting yet another popular initiative aiming to ban #AnimalExperimentation. 🐭🧪❌
In my view, these initiatives foster the wrong kind of discussion – a crude Pro vs Con. What we need is a debate about the How of moving forward.
In my view, these initiatives foster the wrong kind of discussion – a crude Pro vs Con. What we need is a debate about the How of moving forward.
In this new paper, Pandora Pound draws on Bourdieu to analyze #AnimalResearch in terms of fields, habitus, and different kinds of capital. Worth a read!
A sociological perspective on the challenges of displacing animal research within academia: the contribution of Bourdieu
The use of non-animal, new approach methodologies (NAMs) is increasing but there has been no associated decrease in animal use. Reasons may include th…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
In this new paper, Pandora Pound draws on Bourdieu to analyze #AnimalResearch in terms of fields, habitus, and different kinds of capital. Worth a read!
I just found out that Taylor Swift's cat has her own wikipedia page.
Apparently she's the world's second-richest cat, worth an estimated US$97 million.
She's also a Scottish Fold, a breed so unhealthy it's banned in some countries, yet it's popular because people like TS promote it. 👎👎👎
Apparently she's the world's second-richest cat, worth an estimated US$97 million.
She's also a Scottish Fold, a breed so unhealthy it's banned in some countries, yet it's popular because people like TS promote it. 👎👎👎
October 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I just found out that Taylor Swift's cat has her own wikipedia page.
Apparently she's the world's second-richest cat, worth an estimated US$97 million.
She's also a Scottish Fold, a breed so unhealthy it's banned in some countries, yet it's popular because people like TS promote it. 👎👎👎
Apparently she's the world's second-richest cat, worth an estimated US$97 million.
She's also a Scottish Fold, a breed so unhealthy it's banned in some countries, yet it's popular because people like TS promote it. 👎👎👎
Not gonna lie, this ego boost came at just the right time. It's nice to see some people actually read what I write… and like it!
Here's that paper for free: doi.org/10.1007/s107...
Now I'll go respond to peer reviewers for another paper that were *not* so thrilled about my work. Wish me luck…
Here's that paper for free: doi.org/10.1007/s107...
Now I'll go respond to peer reviewers for another paper that were *not* so thrilled about my work. Wish me luck…
October 2, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Not gonna lie, this ego boost came at just the right time. It's nice to see some people actually read what I write… and like it!
Here's that paper for free: doi.org/10.1007/s107...
Now I'll go respond to peer reviewers for another paper that were *not* so thrilled about my work. Wish me luck…
Here's that paper for free: doi.org/10.1007/s107...
Now I'll go respond to peer reviewers for another paper that were *not* so thrilled about my work. Wish me luck…
Animals constantly give off information – what if there was a disease that forced humans to listen and understand?
People would love it, if this book has it right. And society might collapse. A really, really fun read! #BookSky #AnimalRights
People would love it, if this book has it right. And society might collapse. A really, really fun read! #BookSky #AnimalRights
September 29, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Animals constantly give off information – what if there was a disease that forced humans to listen and understand?
People would love it, if this book has it right. And society might collapse. A really, really fun read! #BookSky #AnimalRights
People would love it, if this book has it right. And society might collapse. A really, really fun read! #BookSky #AnimalRights
Reposted by Nico Müller
📉🐭 New numbers out today: 🇨🇭 reports the lowest annual use of animals in #AnimalExperimentation since records began in 1983.
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
September 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
📉🐭 New numbers out today: 🇨🇭 reports the lowest annual use of animals in #AnimalExperimentation since records began in 1983.
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
📉🐭 New numbers out today: 🇨🇭 reports the lowest annual use of animals in #AnimalExperimentation since records began in 1983.
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
September 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
📉🐭 New numbers out today: 🇨🇭 reports the lowest annual use of animals in #AnimalExperimentation since records began in 1983.
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
A fortunate development for sure, but there's no guarantee it'll continue. Thoughts in 🧵
A missed opportunity: The 🇨🇭 Council of States just voted *not* to pursue a parliamentary initiative for a phase-out plan for animal experiments.
This means the bill is off the table. But there's always next time…! 🐭📉
This means the bill is off the table. But there's always next time…! 🐭📉
September 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
A missed opportunity: The 🇨🇭 Council of States just voted *not* to pursue a parliamentary initiative for a phase-out plan for animal experiments.
This means the bill is off the table. But there's always next time…! 🐭📉
This means the bill is off the table. But there's always next time…! 🐭📉
Having a great time at the European Animal Rights Law Conference – that's me there in the picture! 😎
I talked about phase-out planning for research that harms animals: Why it's not just the #3Rs, why it's different from a ban, and how politically promising the demand is.
Great discussion too!
I talked about phase-out planning for research that harms animals: Why it's not just the #3Rs, why it's different from a ban, and how politically promising the demand is.
Great discussion too!
Our European Animal Rights Law Conference 2025 has begun! 🎉
Today, we heard presentations from our distinguished speakers on the following block subjects:
1️⃣ Taking stock of current animal rights bills
2️⃣ Challenges before and after enactment
(1/2)
Today, we heard presentations from our distinguished speakers on the following block subjects:
1️⃣ Taking stock of current animal rights bills
2️⃣ Challenges before and after enactment
(1/2)
September 5, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Having a great time at the European Animal Rights Law Conference – that's me there in the picture! 😎
I talked about phase-out planning for research that harms animals: Why it's not just the #3Rs, why it's different from a ban, and how politically promising the demand is.
Great discussion too!
I talked about phase-out planning for research that harms animals: Why it's not just the #3Rs, why it's different from a ban, and how politically promising the demand is.
Great discussion too!
Reposted by Nico Müller
My paper ‘Animal Rights, Moral Motivation, and the Experience of Wonder’ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... has just been published at @the-joap.bsky.social In it, I argue for fostering a sense of wonder at individual nonhuman animals, & for making this the basis of a reverence-based respect.
Animal Rights, Moral Motivation, and the Experience of Wonder
Despite being strong, arguments for animal rights often fail to motivate. One reason for this is that rights are associated with concepts, such as respect, that are difficult to apply to nonhuman ani...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
My paper ‘Animal Rights, Moral Motivation, and the Experience of Wonder’ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... has just been published at @the-joap.bsky.social In it, I argue for fostering a sense of wonder at individual nonhuman animals, & for making this the basis of a reverence-based respect.
Reposted by Nico Müller
📚 Bibliography Recommendation 🦉
Today, we're recommending an essential reading for anyone working on animal ethics or advocacy: "From Here to Utopia: Theories of Change in Nonideal Animal Ethics" by Nico Dario Müller. 🐾🌱
Today, we're recommending an essential reading for anyone working on animal ethics or advocacy: "From Here to Utopia: Theories of Change in Nonideal Animal Ethics" by Nico Dario Müller. 🐾🌱
June 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
📚 Bibliography Recommendation 🦉
Today, we're recommending an essential reading for anyone working on animal ethics or advocacy: "From Here to Utopia: Theories of Change in Nonideal Animal Ethics" by Nico Dario Müller. 🐾🌱
Today, we're recommending an essential reading for anyone working on animal ethics or advocacy: "From Here to Utopia: Theories of Change in Nonideal Animal Ethics" by Nico Dario Müller. 🐾🌱
Reposted by Nico Müller
Looking forward to discussing phase-out strategies for animal experimentation at this conference in September! 📉🐭
European Animal Rights Law Conference 2025
The fifth European Animal Rights Law Conference at Magdalene College, Cambridge (4-6 September) on "Animal Rights in Legislation"
www.eventbrite.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Looking forward to discussing phase-out strategies for animal experimentation at this conference in September! 📉🐭
Looking forward to discussing phase-out strategies for animal experimentation at this conference in September! 📉🐭
European Animal Rights Law Conference 2025
The fifth European Animal Rights Law Conference at Magdalene College, Cambridge (4-6 September) on "Animal Rights in Legislation"
www.eventbrite.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Looking forward to discussing phase-out strategies for animal experimentation at this conference in September! 📉🐭
Reposted by Nico Müller
🚨 NEW OA ARTICLE 🚨
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
Why (and how) total numbers should matter for animal experimentation policy | Politics and the Life Sciences | Cambridge Core
Why (and how) total numbers should matter for animal experimentation policy
www.cambridge.org
July 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
🚨 NEW OA ARTICLE 🚨
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
🚨 NEW OA ARTICLE 🚨
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
Why (and how) total numbers should matter for animal experimentation policy | Politics and the Life Sciences | Cambridge Core
Why (and how) total numbers should matter for animal experimentation policy
www.cambridge.org
July 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
🚨 NEW OA ARTICLE 🚨
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
In many countries, animal experimentation overall isn't decreasing or becoming less severe. Some argue that overall numbers are misleading – that they don't tell us anything about whether we're making progress in alternatives.
I argue this is isn't totally wrong, just mostly.
Reposted by Nico Müller
This week, a 🇨🇭 parliament commission debated whether the country should develop a phase-out strategy for experiments that harm animals.
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
June 26, 2025 at 8:48 AM
This week, a 🇨🇭 parliament commission debated whether the country should develop a phase-out strategy for experiments that harm animals.
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
This week, a 🇨🇭 parliament commission debated whether the country should develop a phase-out strategy for experiments that harm animals.
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
June 26, 2025 at 8:48 AM
This week, a 🇨🇭 parliament commission debated whether the country should develop a phase-out strategy for experiments that harm animals.
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...
They said no – and rather bizarrely wrote they don't want a "phase-out plan for 3Rs research." Make it make sense… 🤷♂️
www.parlament.ch/press-releas...