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

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Vegan 40

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. He might argue that eating animals is morally bad because of the pain inflicted on animals in rearing and killing them to be eaten. He will not, however, object to the eating of fertile eggs as such.)

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Meat Morals Cows 40

Animal Person

JULY 22, 2009

Or bake some vegan cookies for a vegetarian friend who's convinced that she cannot survive without eggs and butter. I'm not talking about morality here, I'm talking about language. And the real question is, is there thought--or is there morality-without language? I think that vegan is worth fighting for as a word.

Vegan 100

Vegan Feral Cats Spaying Spay 100

Animal Person

AUGUST 16, 2011

Most interesting for me was the mental lock most people have that we vegans are always looking to break or find the key to: Why do good people who understand what happens to animals for unnecessary products such as “steak” or eggs, continue to consume such things? The campaign to moralize meat has largely been a failure. All day long.

Vegan 100

Vegan Morals Pit Bulls Animal Rights 100

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 28, 2010

Let us think of the more moral members of society as a moral elite, much as the generality of scientists form a scientific elite. I hope I do not need to stress that such a moral elite must not be confused with a social or intellectual elite. I eat eggs though they may come from battery hens. I am myself not so heroic.

Morals 40

Morals Whales Whaling Chickens 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

which may be called the Consistency Trick—akin to that known in common parlance as the tu quoque or "you're another"—the device of setting up an arbitrary standard of "consistency," and then demonstrating that the Vegetarian himself, judged by that standard, is as "inconsistent" as other persons.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Lamb Chickens 40