Animal Ethics

APRIL 10, 2009

Here is a New York Times op-ed column about free-range pigs. He seems to think that the demand for free-range pork is a demand for wild pork, when in fact it's a demand for morally acceptable conditions for the pigs. The author is confused.

Morals 40

Morals Free Range Pigs New York Times 40

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 am myself not so heroic. I eat eggs though they may come from battery hens.

Morals 40

Morals Whales Whaling Chickens 40

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 6, 2009

Rather than eating dogs, we all ought to eat exclusively small-farmed, free-range meat. In the name of moral consistency I became a vegetarian four years ago. However, I agree with Mr. Foer that factory farming has to go. We carnivores have to become more benevolent. Why was a dog more worthy of not being dinner than a pig?

Los Angeles 40

Los Angeles San Francisco Factory Farming Factory Farm 40

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

The idea that eggs from free-range chickens are somehow morally superior to other eggs is, frankly, weird. We have a hard enough time figuring out what makes people happy, but chickens? Are they happier scratching around the barnyard or sitting confined in cages? But let’s not play psychiatrist with other animals’ minds.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Gestation Crates Gestation 40

Animal Ethics

AUGUST 20, 2007

Free range” does not solve the problem of painful debeaking, enormously oversized flocks or the unnatural isolation of the birds from other sexes and age groups. Let chickens be chickens, and avoid the whole moral dilemma by going vegan. All of the male hatchlings are either smothered or ground up alive.

New York Times 40

New York Times Battery Cages New York Debeaking 40

Animal Person

JUNE 20, 2009

Words like 'pastured,' 'grass-fed,' and 'free-range' are now synonymous with quality meat; they carry a potent if symbolic meaning that has eased many a consumer’s conscience and driven many a marketing campaign." Interestingly, the campaigns of happy meaters are acknowledged for perhaps being somewhat of a scam with the next sentence.

Slaughter 100

Slaughter Slaughtered Cows Meat 100