Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 28, 2010

Let us think of the more moral members of society as a moral elite, much as the generality of scientists form a scientific elite. I hope I do not need to stress that such a moral elite must not be confused with a social or intellectual elite. I eat eggs though they may come from battery hens. I am myself not so heroic.

Morals 40

Morals Whales Whaling Chickens 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. The same would be true of Martin’s hypothetical animal legs. KBJ: Agreed.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Suffering Vegan 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. You will, therefore, agree with Martin about moral vegetarianism but not about Christianity. Another reason is moral.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Vegan 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. One cannot produce eggs or dairy products on a large scale without the wholesale exploitation of animals.

Lacto-Ovo 40

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Vegan Veal 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 23, 2009

There are two approaches a vegetarian might take in arguing that rearing and killing animals for food is morally offensive. He might argue that eating animals is morally bad because of the pain inflicted on animals in rearing and killing them to be eaten. Or he could object to the killing itself.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Meat Morals Cows 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

I eat chicken, fish, and eggs. I have had no other animal products (no beef, pork, lamb, or turkey, for example) since 1982. That depends on whether there are morally relevant differences between chickens and fish on the one hand and cows, pigs, and sheep on the other. Surely that counts for something, morally.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Chickens Lamb 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

The idea that eggs from free-range chickens are somehow morally superior to other eggs is, frankly, weird. No one, Mr. Hurst and me included, wants animals to be subjected to unnecessary pain. But let’s not play psychiatrist with other animals’ minds.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Gestation Crates Gestation 40