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Jonathan Bennett on Revisable Morality

Animal Ethics

There is a difficulty about drawing from all this a moral for ourselves. But then we can say this because we can say that all those are bad moralities, whereas we cannot look at our own moralities and declare them bad. This sympathy can be a basis for revising one's moral principles so as to take animals into account.

Morals 40
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Moral Vegetarianism, Part 11 of 13

Animal Ethics

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. Nobody wants existing animals to be slaughtered.

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On ANIMAL EQUALITY, by Joan Dunayer

Animal Person

Here are some of my favorite quotes: " Companion anima l reduces a dog, cat, or other nonhuman to the role of companion. By pairing humane with slaughter , legislators have sanctioned horrific cruelty and mass murder. What if slaughter were freed (miraculously) of all terror and pain? Overly generous inclusion?

Animal 100
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On "EATING ANIMALS" by Jonathan Safran Foer

Animal Person

There's not enough evidence for an accusation of moral relativism, but for me the message is a mixed one. The Nimans move him, as do several other farmers, including one who "apologizes to his animals as they are sent off to slaughter" (244), as if that's any consolation to someone whose life you are about to take when you don't need to.

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From Today's New York Times

Animal Ethics

If the goal is not moral perfection for ourselves, but the maximum benefit for animals, half-measures ought to be encouraged and appreciated. Mr. Steiner rightly rejects this view as morally flawed. If we are not justified in eating mackerel ourselves, are we not also morally obligated to stop the slaughter brought on by the tuna?

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Deconstructing Slate's "Pepper" Series

Animal Person

He's right with his implication that stopping the seizing of pets and strays simply created a more efficient, effective means of commodifying and torturing dogs and cats. Engber writes of experimenting on cats and on the "furtive language" vivisectionists use to decrease the emotional impact of what they do. Maybe on paper.