Since I went plant based, about 3.5 years ago, one thing I have heard quite frequently boils down to two words: But plants! (At the bottom of this note, a link to a note reposted multiple times by many of my FB friends.) To address the issue, first, a link to an 2013 essay by Michael Pollan which sums up the most recent research on the issue of plant intelligence and consciousness. So far as I can see, yes plants react to various stimuli. But they have no brains or central nervous system. So, it is hard to understand how they can have consciousness, knowledge, feeling, and so on. To amplify, I am positive that I do not feel anything when I am in a state of deep anesthesia and my brain is temporarily turned off. And, similarly, I am sure that my door bell does not feel anything though it reacts to someones pushing a button. But lets assume I am wrong and plants have feelings. What then? I went vegetarian and eventually plant based for moral reasons, on the grounds of both justice and compassion. But, for me, the main point was NOT to absolutely avoid causing any suffering or absolutely abstain from killing. For as long as we have human bodies, this is impossible. The main point was to MINIMIZE SUFFERING AND KILLING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE PROVIDED IT DOES NOT AFFECT IMPORTANT HUMAN INTERESTS (e.g., the interests in being healthy and alive). It is obvious to me that we can be healthy and strong when we eat ve*gan. And it is the least burdensome way for others, too. Here is why. First off, it is obvious we cause animals excruciating suffering when we raise them for food; if you have any doubts, watch this: youtube/watch?v=ibuQ-J04eLQ. (According to some estimates, between 65 and 99% that end up on the market go, at some time in their lives, through some forms of factory farmers. Also, contrary to what Big Food (and others) would like us to believe, the very process of killing them causes them frequently causes them anguish and excruciating suffering, even when they are raise humanly). Furthermore, when we eat animal flesh we cause, at minimum, 10-fold more damage to OTHERS than when we are veg*an. For not only we kill animals (or someone does it for us) but we also cause the death of plants that are used to raise those animals. We also have to add to it a much bigger use of water and energy and incredible waste caused by the Big Meat industry. Finally, food we would grow if we abstained from eating meat could be used to feed hungry (literally millions of people die out of starvation.) If you put it all together, it is obvious that veg*ans can sleep with clear consciousness. Here is an example of a note implying that veg*ans should be troubled by the recent discoveries; notice the first sentence, Vegetarians and vegans pay heed: New research shows plants know when theyre being eaten. And they dont like it. First off, notice who is talking! I am sure that Big Business would love us all to go veg*an. (
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 17:09:31 +0000
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