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. A vegetarian of the first sort has no grounds for objecting to the eating of animals—molluscs for example—too rudimentary in their development to feel pain. Or he could object to the killing itself.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Meat Morals Cows 40

Animal Ethics

MARCH 8, 2009

For an explanation of this feature, click on “Moral Vegetarianism” at the bottom of this post. If a genetically engineered animal’s legs periodically fell off, would not its legs be more like a product of an animal (analogous to eggs) than a part of the animal? Would the blood be analogous to milk or eggs? 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. I suspect that many readers of this blog are Christians but not vegetarians. The contrast would be, for example, “health vegetarianism.”

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. a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease.

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Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Vegan Veal 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 28, 2010

Of course even though they may not have the capacity for happiness and suffering that whales have, nevertheless I would suppose that chickens can suffer quite a lot, even though their consciousness should be very much a sort of daze, and this should be taken into account in our dealings with them. I am myself not so heroic.

Morals 40

Morals Whales Whaling Chickens 40

Animal Person

SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

With regard to cruelty and suffering, it's clear from the film that the human animal has been profoundly negatively affected by climate change, but there is no attention given to nonhuman animals. There was no meaningful discussion about our inefficient use of resources (grain and water) in the feeding of animals to kill to feed people.

Nigeria 100

Nigeria Vegan Neglecting Vegetarian 100

Animal Ethics

APRIL 16, 2009

Animals raised for food suffer miserably. After time in the Marines, I veered strongly away from eating creatures, thinking of their suffering. In my 40s, I became a vegetarian because I was saving sick and injured birds, and I just couldn’t eat them and save them. Kristof’s column. Karen Davis Machipongo, Va.,

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New York Times New York Proposition 2 Free Range 40