Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 6, 2010

Either the vegetarian argues on utilitarian premises, or he tries to supplement or replace his utilitarianism with some plausible non-utilitarian principles implying the wrongfulness of rearing and killing animals for food. Either the vegetarian argues on utilitarian grounds or the vegetarian argues on nonutilitarian grounds.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Hamburgers Morals Meat 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 9, 2009

A third of a century ago, when the modern animal-liberation movement was in its infancy, Martin published an essay entitled “A Critique of Moral Vegetarianism,” Reason Papers (fall 1976): 13-43. I suspect that many readers of this blog are Christians but not vegetarians. At no point will we speculate about Martin’s motives.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Vegan 40

Animal Ethics

MARCH 27, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. ARGUMENTS FOR MORAL VEGETARIANISM A variety of arguments have been given for vegetarianism. I outline two arguments of this sort in what follows in order to illustrate some of the difficulties in evaluating moral vegetarianism.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Monkeys Meat 40

Animal Ethics

MARCH 8, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. What Is an Animal Part? The last example suggests the difficulty of making a clear distinction between an animal part and an animal product. If so, the lactovo vegetarian should have no qualms about someone’s eating such legs.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Suffering Vegan 40

Animal Ethics

JULY 24, 2009

According to this BBC story, city officials in Ghent, Belgium, are encouraging all residents to go vegetarian one day a week. As a result, the main menu in restaurants on Thursdays will be vegetarian. Starting in September, schools will serve vegetarian meals to schoolchildren on Thursdays as well.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Belgium Morals Adoptable 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 21, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. SOME PROBLEMS OF MORAL VEGETARIANISM With respect to traditional moral vegetarianism some problems immediately come to the fore. Who exactly is not supposed to eat animals or products of animals? Not necessarily.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Meat Lions 40

Animal Ethics

APRIL 16, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. The Argument from Glass-Walled Slaughter Houses Mel Morse, former president of the Humane Society of the United States, once remarked: “If every one of our slaughter houses were constructed of glass this would be a nation of vegetarians.”

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Humane Society Of The United States Slaughter 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. The Argument from Human Grain Shortage All of the clearly moral arguments for vegetarianism given so far have been in terms of animal rights and suffering. It is argued that beef cattle and hogs are protein factories in reserve.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Cattle 40

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

But what of the many individual failures, it is asked, among those who make trial of Vegetarianism? The doctor looks wise, shakes his head, and informs a sorrowing circle that it is the direct result of "his vegetarianism." Salt , The Logic of Vegetarianism: Essays and Dialogues [London: The Ideal Publishing Union, 1899], 114-5)

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Butcher Non Human Meat 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 17, 2008

And there are two relevant kinds of alternatives here: one is treating the animals better before we eat them, the only disadvantage of which is that it would make meat considerably more expensive. And the other is taking up vegetarianism. But what about the vegetarian alternative?

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Vegetarian Cooking Slaughter 40

Animal Ethics

JULY 7, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. The Argument from Animal Rights A stronger argument is made by people who maintain that animals have rights. In particular, it has been argued that animals have a right to life. Tags: Moral Vegetarianism.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Suffering Killing 40

Animal Ethics

AUGUST 21, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. Suppose that tomorrow a group of beings from another planet were to land on Earth, beings who considered themselves as superior to you as you feel yourself to be to other animals. Tags: Moral Vegetarianism.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Killing Humane 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 13, 2009

It cannot be mere accident that Vegetarians are almost invariably abstainers from alcohol and tobacco, that, man for man, they eat more sparingly, dress more lightly, live more naturally, and work harder than flesh-eaters, and are far less subject to illnesses and ailments.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 20, 2008

Ethical vegetarianism is the thesis that killing and eating animals is morally wrong whenever equally nutritious plant-based alternatives are available. The case for ethical vegetarianism starts with several uncontroversial premises. Keith has made the point before that the case for vegetarianism is overdetermined.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Meat Lacto-Ovo Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 12, 2007

If you'd like to read Andrew Tardiff's 1996 essay "Simplifying the Case for Vegetarianism," write to me (by clicking "Contact" in the sidebar) and I'll send a copy. The essay is fabulous.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 21, 2008

From the ecological point of view, for human beings universally to become vegetarians is tantamount to a shift of trophic niche from omnivore with carnivorous preferences to herbivore. A vegetarian human population is therefore probably ecologically catastrophic. ( more than under present circumstances.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Animal Liberation Shelters Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 6, 2008

But even this fails to establish a case for vegetarianism. Michael Fox , "'Animal Liberation': A Critique," Ethics 88 [January 1978]: 106-18, at 116-7) There is no doubt a good deal of truth in this last point as well, and we are here presented with a serious moral problem concerning the world food supply.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Fox Factory Farm Factory Farming 40

Animal Ethics

APRIL 16, 2008

It cannot be too strongly stated that the appeal of Vegetarianism, as of all humane systems, is not to heart alone, nor to brain alone, but to brain and heart combined, and if its claims fail to win this double judgment they are necessarily void and invalid.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Humane 40

Animal Ethics

JULY 15, 2009

Better yet, go vegetarian and stop having to worry about poisoning yourself or a loved one. Write to your state and federal representatives and urge them to pass legislation banning the routine, non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on factory farms.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Factory Farm Factory Farming Factory 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 21, 2007

The author, Daniel Lazare, is hostile to vegetarianism. Why is it that so many progressives think it's silly to accord moral status to animals? Here is an essay from The Nation, which bills itself as " a progressive journal." Then again, progressives think abortion is merely a medical procedure, devoid of moral significance.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Medical Humane 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

I suspect that many regular readers of Animal Ethics are already vegetarians. That's because those who read Animal Ethics with regularity know that there are many compelling reasons to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease.

Lacto-Ovo 40

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Vegan Veal 40

Animal Ethics

APRIL 22, 2007

Hi Keith, Here are some links to some exceptionally moving and informative online audio lectures on vegetarianism & animal ethics from a Christian perspective. They are by Matt Halteman , an excellent philosopher from Calvin College. If you would inform them of this resource, that'd be great.

Animal Ethics 40

Animal Ethics Vegetarian Animal Rights Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 16, 2007

Dear Keith, I'd like to request a copy of the essay "Simplifying the Case for Vegetarianism" that you praised on your webpage (12 Jan 2007). I also want to take the opportunity to say how much I enjoy reading the excellent insights/arguments/links etc that you've included on Animal Ethics over the years.

Animal Ethics 40

Animal Ethics Vegetarian 2007 Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 15, 2007

Hi Keith, I'm writing to request a copy of Andrew Tardiff's essay "Simplifying the Case for Vegetarianism." I've been an ethical vegan for 12 years; for me it was a straightforward transition. I must advocate on behalf of the animals in other ways. I'm sure your blog helps many people contemplating vegetarianism/veganism.

Factory Farm 40

Factory Farm Factory Farming Vegan Animal Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 23, 2007

Hi Keith, I am writing to request a copy of "Simplifying the Case for Vegetarianism." This is one of the best essays I have read on the subject of animal ethics. Also I would like to recommend this essay by David DeGrazia to your readers.

Factory Farm 40

Factory Farm Factory Farming Animal Ethics Factory 40

Animal Ethics

APRIL 18, 2007

Since a number of "Animal Ethics" readers reside in the northern Illinois area, I thought I would call your attention to an exciting lecture that is taking place on Northern Illinois University's campus. She specializes in Environmental Ethics, Human-Animal Ethics, and Moral Psychology. Jenni, Ph.D.

Illinois 40

Illinois Animal Ethics Ethics Morals 40

Animal Ethics

JULY 12, 2010

Does Vegetarianism progress? Revolution in personal habits, be it remembered, is even more difficult than revolution in political forms, and needs a greater time for its fulfilment; and looked at in this light, Vegetarianism has made as much progress, during the past half-century, as any other cause which aims at so far-reaching a change.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Humane 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 16, 2008

Read this blog post and its comments.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 7, 2010

And here we see the inevitable logic of Vegetarianism, if our belief in the Rights of Animals is ever to quit the stage of theory and enter the stage of fact; for just as there can be no human rights where there is slavery, so there can be no animal rights where there is eating of flesh. "To

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Butcher Cruelty Science 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 17, 2011

And I suspect that people become vegetarians for precisely that reason: that by doing so they overcome the residue of guilt that attaches to every form of hubris, and in particular to the hubris of human freedom. If meat-eating should ever become confined to those who do not care about animal suffering then compassionate farming would cease.

Meat 40

Meat Vegetarian Battery Fast Food 40

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 7, 2008

In other words, we become vegetarians, not through any decision of principle, but through being unable to bring ourselves to continue to dine upon the flesh of animals. What the vegetarian wants, surely, is that we should stop eating meat even if our liking for it exceeds our revulsion at the suffering endured on factory farms.

Factory Farm 40

Factory Farm Factory Farming Vegetarian Meat 40

Animal Ethics

OCTOBER 24, 2008

Thompson has only shown his unfamiliarity with the subject, for his novel proposition is in fact an old one, which has been debated and rejected by the Vegetarian Society in its adherence to its original rule of excluding fish, flesh and fowl, and nothing else, from its dietary.

Fish 40

Fish Vegetarian Fowl Slaughter 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

(Peter Singer more broadly examines the moral standing of animals here.) While this belief might not compel us to be vegetarians, it does demand significant changes in the way we raise animals for food, and it forbids wolf hunting as a form of entertainment. Why does this belief not "compel us to be vegetarians"?

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian New York Times Pigs Morals 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

9): As a dietitian who travels often, I know how challenging finding a healthful vegetarian meal in an airport can be. Unhealthy airport food is a nuisance for vegetarians and vegans, but it affects all exhausted travelers seeking nutritious meals to help them make it to their destinations.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Vegetarian Vegan 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 4, 2009

A second vegetarian strategy is simply to reject as immoral the balancing of animal pains against human pleasures. For a vegetarian to employ a deontological stop against those who defend the eating of meat would be to guarantee that vegetarian views will remain, and deserve to remain, the exclusive property of a sect.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Meat Morals Ethics 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 3, 2008

There I argued that the interests of animals ought to be considered equally with our own interests and that from this equality it follows that we ought to become vegetarian.

Killing 40

Killing Animal Liberation Vegetarian Animal 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 13, 2008

Vegetarianism is overdetermined, in the sense that there is more than one sufficient reason for being a vegetarian. Here is one determination of it.

Meat 40

Meat Vegetarian 40