Discussing the Ethics of Eating Meat

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nusc
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ethics
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the ethical implications of meat consumption, particularly in light of a graphic video depicting animal suffering. Participants express varying opinions on the morality of eating meat, with some arguing that survival necessitates it, while others highlight the need for humane treatment of animals. There is a mention of the potential future of lab-grown meat and genetically modified food as alternatives to traditional meat sources. Health concerns are also raised, particularly regarding obesity linked to unhealthy diets and the impact of growth hormones in livestock. The conversation touches on societal perceptions of obesity, the relationship between poverty and diet, and the responsibilities of consumers regarding food sourcing. Additionally, comparisons are made between animal rights advocates and anti-abortionists, suggesting a shared self-righteousness in their arguments. Overall, the dialogue emphasizes the complexity of food ethics, health, and societal norms surrounding meat consumption.
Nusc
Messages
752
Reaction score
2
I need to hear your opinions on this video:

http://www.meat.org/index-1.asp?c=gwtdba0410 (staff edit: warning, video is very graphic)

streaming is slow so download and watch it;

Until we make remarkable advances in nanotechnology and genetically modified food such that you would obtain the meat without the suffering., people need to be fed. We are by nature, animals ourselves. But just because we have a higher consciousness doesn't make it immoral for us to eat in order to survive:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinoza#cite_note-19

Then what is to say about anti-abortionists?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I think the abortion topic is completely separate from your original topic suggested.

I could only watch the first few minutes of that video. Since March, I have stopped eating any meat except fish mostly for health reasons, but also because of the way animals are raised for food. For my children I don't change their diet because of the choice I have made for my diet because I have the obligation to ensure they have nutrition they need.

Don't know much about genetically modified food. I believe that if a person eats healthy and wholesome, they will eat less overall. Obesity in America is so rampant because ultimately I believe we never "get full" on junk food. Just my opinion on that as I am extremely health and food conscious.
 
Last edited:
How close are we to growing meat in a lab? :D
 
Kerrie said:
I think the abortion topic is completely separate from your original topic suggested.

What Paul is trying to portray is no different from anti-abortionist protest arguments 'that all life is precious' but he does it a more rigour -although it is a very limited perception. No.

The concern then is dealing with overpopulation of the planet with limited resources.
 
Last edited:
You can't replace good meat. You can tell when the animal is slaughtered improperly. You can taste the fear. Fear ruins meat.
 
Kerrie said:
Don't know much about genetically modified food. I believe that if a person eats healthy and wholesome, they will eat less overall. Obesity in America is so rampant because ultimately I believe we never "get full" on junk food. Just my opinion on that as I am extremely health and food conscious.


Which makes me wonder; have there been any studies with obesity associated 'fattening' the chickens?
 
Nusc said:
Fine. What about the increase in obesity?
When did we start keeping statistics on obesity? Not that long ago.

I can't say that I've ever gone into a study, can you? Who are they sampling?

I was thinking yesterday, I haven't seen anyone fat where I live. Dont see fat people where I shop.

I mean, I *have* seen *obese* people, It's just that I don't see them very often, and they are not from my neighborhood.

I think you see more obese people in low income areas. My mother used to tell me that poor people were fat because cheap food is fattening. I've found that to be true.
 
  • #10
Evo said:
When did we start keeping statistics on obesity? Not that long ago.

I can't say that I've ever gone into a study, can you? Who are they sampling?

I was thinking yesterday, I haven't seen anyone fat where I live. Dont see fat people where I shop.

I mean, I *have* seen *obese* people, It's just that I don't see them very often, and they are not from my neighborhood.

I think you see more obese people in low income areas. My mother used to tell me that poor people were fat because cheap food is fattening. I've found that to be true.

I see.http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/ My real concern is with the growth hormone injected into chickens and what effect they may have on humans.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
I personally think we Americans like our portions and frequency of meat. If the saying, "You are what you eat" is true, then eating "fattened chickens" could be a hazard to our health.
 
  • #12
Nusc said:
I need to hear your opinions on this video:

This is standard PETAporn.

Ironically, one of the reasons for the rise in vegetarianism is that people in industrialized nations don't have to prepare their own food, and the only contact most have with animals is with their pets.

Fact, we are not herbivores, we don't have the plumbing.
Fact, all things die, not eating meat will not prevent that.
Fact, while factory farms may seem grotesque to some sensibilities, death in the wild can be much more brutal and painful.

I think we have a responsibility to kill our food in the most sustainable and compassionate way possible, but our first concern about food should be that it is healthy. And I think that is a much bigger problem.
Then what is to say about anti-abortionists?
Right to lifers always have the same arguments, PETA and the Anti-abortionists are self-righteous hypocrites.
 
  • #13
I kind of agree with the slogan "You shouldn't eat what you can't kill". Everyone should go to the nearest farm and if you can't cut a chicken's throat, don't eat it.
 
  • #14
JoeDawg said:
This is standard PETAporn.

Ironically, one of the reasons for the rise in vegetarianism is that people in industrialized nations don't have to prepare their own food, and the only contact most have with animals is with their pets.

Fact, we are not herbivores, we don't have the plumbing.
Fact, all things die, not eating meat will not prevent that.
Fact, while factory farms may seem grotesque to some sensibilities, death in the wild can be much more brutal and painful.

I think we have a responsibility to kill our food in the most sustainable and compassionate way possible, but our first concern about food should be that it is healthy. And I think that is a much bigger problem.

Right to lifers always have the same arguments, PETA and the Anti-abortionists are self-righteous hypocrites.

Good points.
 
Back
Top