Should We Eat Meat If the Animal Wants to Be Eaten?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the ethical implications of consuming genetically modified animals that are designed to desire their own consumption, as depicted in Douglas Adams' "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe." Participants debate whether the willingness of an animal to be eaten alters the morality of eating meat, questioning the validity of artificially altering an animal's instincts. The conversation also explores parallels between animal consumption and human indoctrination, particularly in military contexts. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the belief that true willingness cannot be manufactured without ethical concerns.

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  • Understanding of ethical theories related to animal rights and consumption.
  • Familiarity with genetic modification concepts and their implications.
  • Knowledge of Douglas Adams' literary works, particularly "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe."
  • Awareness of psychological concepts related to indoctrination and free will.
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  • Research the ethical implications of genetic modification in livestock.
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Ethicists, animal rights advocates, literary enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of science fiction and moral philosophy.

  • #31
MOO
(Most cows Object to Obliteration)
 
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  • #32
Greetings !
Originally posted by Dissident Dan
Well, I don't think that the degree of want is the only deciding factor. It is possible that a person could want something incredibly bad for him, but wants it incredibly badly. Look at drug addicts. Many will do anything to get the drugs that are the source of their own torment and destruction.

Who said its a torment for them and who says its their
distruction ? To you it may seem so, but what really matters
is what they think (or at least feel ).

Live long and prosper.
 
  • #33
Originally posted by drag
Greetings !

Who said its a torment for them and who says its their
distruction ? To you it may seem so, but what really matters
is what they think (or at least feel ).

Live long and prosper.

I do.

It being eaten did not cause it torment, it would either have to be A) incredibly drugged, or B) not a carbon-based organism with conscious abilities--and I don't think that not being carbon-based would necessarily preclude it being tormented.

It is their destruction, unless you only take a leg or something. If you destroy the brain function, there is no more conscious entity.

If it would feel pain as I think that it would, then it would think/feel that, too, because pain is something that you feel.
If it was dead, it would be able to think or feel anything, hence it being destroyed.
 
  • #34
What if the Cow is genetically engineered to be non-conscious but responsive, and intelligently responsive so as to convince the average restaurant diner that they actually do think, and that they actually do 'want' to be eaten?

What then?
 

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