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Philip E. Devine on the Vegetarian's Dilemma

Animal Ethics

Either the vegetarian argues on utilitarian premises, or he tries to supplement or replace his utilitarianism with some plausible non-utilitarian principles implying the wrongfulness of rearing and killing animals for food. Think of the difference between eating a hamburger and eating a veggie burger, for example.

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Prima Facie vs. Ultima Facie Wrongness

Animal Ethics

He clearly thinks that it is wrong to cause animals to suffer unnecessarily, but he appears to be somewhat ambivalent about killing animals (provided the killing is carried out humanely). However, the above rationalization does not directly address the issue of contributing to the unnecessary killing of a conscious sentient being.