Animal Ethics

MARCH 27, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. Even if it were true that meat-eating is unnatural for humans (in some nonmoral sense), it would not follow that it is wrong. Hume’s Law says that one cannot infer an “ought” statement from an “is” statement. An evaluative conclusion, in other words, requires at least one evaluative premise.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Monkeys Meat 40

Animal Ethics

AUGUST 4, 2007

Some, such as my niece's Tag, are utterly spoiled. In terms of welfare (i.e., overall well-being), there is great inequality among dogs. They have the best food money can buy, climate-controlled shelter, comfortable bedding, ample exercise, liberty to move about, toys to play with, and medical care (including control of parasites).

Welfare 40

Welfare Medical Shelters Dogs 40

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. And we have no reason to accept (4). Thus the argument from brutalization fails. KBJ: I agree that this argument fails. Perhaps that is why I have never heard anyone make it.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Inhumane Meat 40

Animal Ethics

MARCH 8, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. After all, it might be said, there are unsolved problems implicit in any moral position. Although there may be difficult problems at the core of moral vegetarianism, it may be maintained that there are sound reasons for taking the position. KBJ: Bingo.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Suffering Vegan 40

Animal Ethics

JULY 7, 2009

Since (most) animals are sentient, (most) animals have at least one important interest, namely, the interest in not suffering. There is, in short, no logical barrier to animals having rights. Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. This interest can serve as the basis of a welfare right.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Suffering Killing 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 21, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. Third, there is nothing wrong, in general, with hypothetical questions, but Martin’s question about the lions and tigers is so fanciful that I don’t know what to say in reply to it.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Meat Lions 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. But it is not implausible to suppose that, for many people, going without meat will have less psychological meaning and consequently strengthen their resolve less than wearing buttons and signing petitions. KBJ: I’m speechless.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Cattle 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 9, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. He has drawn five distinctions: (1) between vegetarianism and nonvegetarianism; (2) between moral vegetarianism and nonmoral vegetarianism; (3) between lactovo and vegan moral vegetarianism; (4) between new and old moral vegetarianism; and (5) between hard-line (absolutist) and moderate moral vegetarianism.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Vegan 40

Animal Ethics

MAY 6, 2009

He will find that the explanation for this wrongness applies equally well to animals—but not to plants. Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. KBJ: Ditto. What Martin should explore is why it is wrong to eat human flesh.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Speciesism Killing 40

Animal Ethics

JUNE 4, 2009

Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. So it would seem that the argument from actual practice is not strong enough to justify not eating meat. KBJ: The “argument from actual practice,” properly understood, is plenty strong enough to justify not eating meat.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Protest Protesting 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 15, 2009

KBJ: Once again, it depends on whether the animals in question can consent to being used as sources of food. Tags: Moral Vegetarianism. In this sense, they would not be being exploited. If they can, then they may. If they can’t, then they may not.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Meat Killing 40