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. At no point will we speculate about Martin’s motives.

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Vegetarian Morals Meat Vegan 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 fact, my diet is worse, but I do justify my eating habits. bjb Note from KBJ: Thanks for writing, Brad.

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Vegetarian Lamb Animal Welfare Meat 40

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 14, 2009

I foresee a day, perhaps not far in the future, in which it is illegal to raise cows, pigs, and other animals for food. The ground for this will not be animal welfare, as you might expect, but environmentalism. Individual animals, qua sentient beings, have intrinsic value. The reason is that it has a backlash effect.

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Meat Animal Welfare Vegetarian Protecting Animals 40

Animal Person

JUNE 8, 2009

The tiresome Hitler was a well-known vegetarian comment is included in this segment, but I found it irksome long before that. But there is a significant contingent who is not as enamored with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act as he is. Isn't it better for science, and more humane, to use just one animal? Maybe on paper.

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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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