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J. Baird Callicott on Factory Farms

Animal Ethics

From the perspective of the land ethic, the immoral aspect of the factory farm has to do far less with the suffering and killing of nonhuman animals than with the monstrous transformation of living things from an organic to a mechanical mode of being. They have become, in Ruth Harrison 's most apt description, "animal machines."

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J. Baird Callicott on Wild Life

Animal Ethics

Concern for animal (and plant) rights and well-being is as fundamental to the land ethic as to the humane ethic, but the difference between naturally evolved and humanly bred species is an essential consideration for the one, though not for the other. ( On the left side, from top to bottom, distinguish between wild and domesticated organisms.

Ethics 40
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Moral Vegetarianism, Part 1 of 13

Animal Ethics

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. KBJ: Permit me a comment on the organization of Martin’s essay (for the benefit of my students).

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Animal Advocates' Successes Have Factory Farmers Running Scared

Animal Ethics

A column entitled "Ag Industry Threatened by Animal Rights" appeared in today's High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal [ HPMAJ ]. The column, which you can read here , is a call to arms to factory farmers to fight back against those individuals and organizations working to protect farm animals from the abuses inherent in factory farms.

Factory 40
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Moral Vegetarianism, Part 3 of 13

Animal Ethics

The ability to feel pain is not an obviously plausible way of morally distinguishing microorganisms from other organisms. The question can be raised: Why should these organisms be killed and others not be killed? The very name “vegetarian” suggests that these individuals eat plants, which are living organisms. Why wouldn’t they?

Morals 40
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Moral Vegetarianism, Part 8 of 13

Animal Ethics

As he puts it, “Until we boycott meat we are, each one of us, contributing to the continued existence, prosperity, and growth of factory farming and all the other cruel practices used in rearing animals for food” ( Animal Liberation, 167).