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. Philosophy is about reasons, not causes.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Vegan 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 14, 2009

The best thing that one can do for animals, in the long run, is to persuade people to stop eating them. Of all the ways of influencing behavior, rational persuasion is the most effective, the most secure (in the sense of long-lasting), and the most defensible from a moral point of view. The reason is that it has a backlash effect.

Meat 40

Meat Animal Welfare Vegetarian Protecting Animals 40

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Steiner might feel less lonely as an ethical vegan—he says he has just five vegan friends—if he recognized that he has allies in mere vegetarians (like me), ethical omnivores and even carnivores. If the goal is not moral perfection for ourselves, but the maximum benefit for animals, half-measures ought to be encouraged and appreciated.

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New York Times New York Vegan Vegetarian 40

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 16, 2010

Keith: As a historian or even an anthropologist, one could make the argument that being a vegetarian limits one's ability to understand other cultures. I, like you, am not a complete vegetarian. In other words, there are moral limits to science, as to law. In fact, my diet is worse, but I do justify my eating habits.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Lamb Animal Welfare Meat 40