# Indirect duty

> In moral philosophy, an indirect duty is "a duty that arises not directly toward an entity, but derives from a duty toward some third entity." For example, even if I assume animals have no moral rights, if an animal is someone's property and I recognize that person's property rights, I have an indirect duty not to harm the animal without reason.

In <moral philosophy>, an indirect duty is "a duty that arises not directly toward an entity, but derives from a duty toward some third entity." For example, even if I assume animals have no moral rights, if an animal is someone's property and I recognize that person's property rights, I have an indirect duty not to harm the animal without reason.

Contrasts with <direct duty>.