Ive been pretty busy lately and not keeping up with this group. I did notice a recent post from a vegan member challenging omnivores to morally justify continuing to eat meat in light of the fact that individuals in many of the species we eat do experience pain as well as emotions such as fear. I wasnt able to find that post this evening. Im not sure who the original poster was or even whether or not he or she is still a member of this group. Nonetheless, a few questions occurred to me. If that person is here or if someone with similar views is here, Id be interested in their responses. 1. If animals are raised and slaughtered humanely, i.e. raised in comfortable and safe conditions and killed in such a way that they do not experience pain or fear, would you still object? After all, if an animal is calm does not know that a bolt is about to kill it instantly by penetrating its brain, it is not going to suffer. It is possible for it to be content until the moment that it ceases to exist as a feeling entity. What is the moral problem there? (Im not saying that this is how factory farms generally operate. Im asking about something that is achievable in principle.) Side note: meat is said to be more tender and more pleasantly flavoured if the animal was not frightened or excited at the time of death than otherwise. It is said to have something to do with muscles tightening at the time of death, affecting tenderness, and well as hormones such as adrenaline, affecting flavour. 2. What about hunting? For example, a wild deer that is killed by a hunters bullet has lived a natural life until that moment and has probably died more quickly and with less terror than if it had brought down by a predator or, alternatively, with considerably less suffering than if it had died from disease or starvation. After all, Mother Nature really isnt known for her gentleness or kindness when it comes to her wild children. Hunting can be done sustainably. Indeed, lawful hunters are generally great supporters of the conservation of wildlife populations and habitat. After, all they want to keep hunting. 3. How about insects? Is it okay to eat them? After all, as far as we know, theyre not emotional. Theyre living, though, and some of them are social. Im not being facetious here. For many traditional cultures, insects have long been an important source of protein and fat. The cultivation of insects for human consumption is also gaining traction in Europe. So, is it okay to indulge in a bowl of stir-fried worms? 4. What about the mammals and insects that are killed in the production of grains and vegetables? Have you thought about the rodent and insect holocaust that is the annual harvest? Sure, fewer animals might be killed in total to produce vegetarian fare than to produce that fine steak on my grill but, still, when the combines gather the grain, critters are being killed wantonly, without any consideration whatsoever for their suffering. How do *you* justify it? Is it simply a numbers game? That last one is a bit facetious - but only partly. The last question stands: is it simply a numbers game?
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 07:50:23 +0000
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