Wednesday, March 20, 2013
For Lack of Inspiration- Continuing My Ideas
This post is usually reserved for commentary on another post; however I decided to forgo that template and write again about the current issue of non human animals and moral status. As I was reading both articles I began to think about different cultures and their beliefs and treatments of non human animals. I relate these differences as they compare to the American cuisine we are familiar with: in India the cow is sacred, in America cats and dogs are domestic animals, and in Europe horses and donkeys serve to feed- not entertain. Would it ever be possible to achieve a universal understanding that non human animals are not intended for human consumption? Or does this very idea contradict the chain established during primitive times that consuming the meat of an animal is necessary for survival and sustaining life? Certainly in other species (non human animals) they eat other animals: Bears eat fish, lions eat antelope, frogs eat insects, etc. Nutritionally speaking, what animal would provide the most benefit to a diet; and would this impact the acceptance of eating this animal, or are all accepted edible animals based in cultural beliefs and practices? (Could a person who eats Asian cuisine ever be convinced that cats are strictly for domestic purposes, due to their deeply rooted cultural customs). I personally find consuming animal meat grotesque, and this may contribute to my sympathies towards non human animals and their rights. I have removed myself from mass cultural disillusions that as homo sapiens we require blood, flesh, and muscle from another living being to survive. There is one issue I hope someone debates; Where do eggs fit into this debate?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Response to Post
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree. I believe we do need meat to survive-many people with only a vegetarian diet that I have encountered seem to be in poorer health than those who mantain a healthy lifestyle and choose to eat meat. Meat, so long as it is a lean choice and is not heavily polluted with preservatives, is a healthy way to give your body protein without having to shovel down nut butter, beans, dairy, or tofu-all of which could have negative consequences in one`s diet. However, by eating rational portions of meat, one can enjoy meat and still pursue a healthy lifestyle. As for cultural differences on eating animals, I would say that is a choice each individual should be free to make. If people in Asia feel that eating animals we consider to be domestic is acceptable, or if people in India refuse to eat cow on the basis of their beliefs, then they should be free to choose to do so. We can recommend that they shouldn`t and even present reasons why if we are inclined to persuade them, but ultimately if they feel their customs are correct for them than they should be free to live by them.