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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. Either the vegetarian argues on utilitarian grounds or the vegetarian argues on nonutilitarian grounds.

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Prima Facie vs. Ultima Facie Wrongness

Animal Ethics

In his fresh and candid first post (available here ), Jonathan admitted that he is struggling with the issue of ethical vegetarianism. Of course, when hamburgers aren't at stake, most of us think that it would be morally wrong to kill an animal for no good reason. They are alive and well. Is eating meat necessary for optimal health?