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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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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 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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Moral Vegetarianism, Part 8 of 13

Animal Ethics

In fact, animals used for food do suffer a great deal. Now there is no doubt that the actual treatment of animals used for food is immoral, that animals are made to suffer needlessly. One argument is this: The present practice of treating animals used for food is immoral and should be changed.

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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?

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