So, I’ve seen this argument before. That humans should never eat meat because we have other options, but it’s ok for animals. Given the opportunity, herbivores will eat meat on occasion. In your opinion, does that mean that humans are morally superior to every other thing on the face of the planet?
Yeah their argument breaks down very quickly. If humans are uniquely responsible for consuming meat but carnivorous animals aren’t, then there’s something special about humans which differentiates us from the carnivorous animals. And if we acknowledge that, that brings up a whole new host of questions. Is it wrong then for an enlightened species like us to give meat to our obligate carnivore pets?
Humans are moral agents, animals are not. The argument is that acknowledging we are different and have higher responsibilities is what obliges us to not eat animals when we don’t need to. The argument doesn’t break down at all, you nearly spelled it out yourself haha
Edit: didn’t realize you were the same person I responded to elsewhere in the thread, but I think this comment has more fleshed out info
So, I’ve seen this argument before. That humans should never eat meat because we have other options, but it’s ok for animals. Given the opportunity, herbivores will eat meat on occasion. In your opinion, does that mean that humans are morally superior to every other thing on the face of the planet?
Yes, we have moral agency, others do not.
Yeah their argument breaks down very quickly. If humans are uniquely responsible for consuming meat but carnivorous animals aren’t, then there’s something special about humans which differentiates us from the carnivorous animals. And if we acknowledge that, that brings up a whole new host of questions. Is it wrong then for an enlightened species like us to give meat to our obligate carnivore pets?
Humans are moral agents, animals are not. The argument is that acknowledging we are different and have higher responsibilities is what obliges us to not eat animals when we don’t need to. The argument doesn’t break down at all, you nearly spelled it out yourself haha
Edit: didn’t realize you were the same person I responded to elsewhere in the thread, but I think this comment has more fleshed out info