Vegetarianism A Moral Debate - 2300 Words

Vegetarianism: A Moral Debate One of the most common moral debates is that of whether one should become vegetarian or not. Some of the factors that help tip that scale include religious practices and beliefs, environmental issues, animal rights and health issues. Vegetarianism is no longer a question of morality surrounding the maltreatment and slaughter of many innocent animals, but also on how hugely livestock production is affecting our environment. Furthermore, many people choose to become vegetarian, or quit eating certain meats, for religious purposes or in the best interest of their health. Vegetarianism, being such a large part of our current society, is met with three different reactions: acceptance, tolerance and hostility. Livestock production is one of the largest industries in the world. Forty percent of the world’s surface is used to keep everyone on the planet fed, some more than others (Walsh). One third of the earth’s arable land is used solely for the production of animal feed and more than 1.7 animals are used in livestock production worldwide (Weller). Approximately 586 million ton of milk, 124 million tons of poultry, 91 million tons of pork, 59 million tons of cattle and buffalo meat, and 11 million tons of sheep and goat meat are produced globally each year. In total that’s about 285 million tons of meat, which is about 36 kilograms of meat per person, if the products were divide completely evenly (Walsh). This is an excessively large amount ofShow MoreRelatedThe Main Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Arguments867 Words   |  4 Pages Peter Singer is a moral philosopher that approaches ethical issues from both a utilitarian and vegetarian point of view. Utilitarianism is a theory in which one’s action maximizes utility, to generate total benefit and reducing negatives. In Peter Singer’s essay, Utilitarinism and Vegetarianism, he argues that people who follow and apply the principles of utilitarianism should ultimately become vegetarians and that vegetarians should follow utilitarianism. This paper will revi ew and evaluate theRead MoreThe Feminist Theory Of Animal Studies924 Words   |  4 Pagessummarize scholars’ responses to criticisms within animal studies and feminist theory, namely concerning the questions of where vegetarianism and veganism fits within feminist theory and if feminists must ascribe to be vegetarians or vegans. While feminist theorists have not prominently explored animal studies, authors have noted discussions of animal rights and vegetarianism throughout the waves of feminism. Birke (1994) has affirmed that animals are largely missing from feminist discourse and thatRead MoreEssay on Animal Rights is a Cause for Vegetarianism742 Words   |  3 Pages Animal Rights - Cause for Vegetarianism The choice of eating meat or not has been a debated issue for a continued number of years. There have long since been two sides: the proponents and opponents of meat consumption. More and more debates of its value and effect on the world have risen. Many claim it is wrong, while others think of it as a needed pleasure. Today, a greater percentage of the population eats meat. Only a few individuals seek the alternative route. Yet, there has been a steadyRead MoreEssay about Beef...and Why It Shouldnt Be Whats for Dinner5062 Words   |  21 PagesUntil recently, vegetarianism has remained ostracized at the outskirts of our society, associated in collective public opinion almost exclusively with radical animal rights activists and left-wing political attitudes (Lund). In recent years, however, the practice of abstaining from meat consumption has taken on new life, fueled by new evidence of its health benefits and a changing moral landscape that is gradually expanding to include the rights of animals with those of humans. In spite of itsRead MoreAsasa718 Words   |  3 Pagesan example of the unjustified torturing that humans inflict over other species in order to provide cheap foods. In  Animal Liberation  Singer advocates  vegetarianism  as a antidote to the rampant speciesism of our society. It is unethical to inflict unnecessary sufferance, so we should avoid it by all means that are necessary to us. Vegetarianism seems to be the best solution, according to Singer.   Singer’s argument has been criticized under several points. For example, eating plants does notRead MorePossibilities Of Consciousness And Human Consciousness1452 Words   |  6 Pagesconstantly enhancing our imagination, and the future keeps enhancing with it. Human consciousness is a well-known concept in the society that is constantly growing and changing the legal fields including abortion. Abortion is an immensely thorny debate in this society that can be taken out of concept and twisted in a way to appeal to your ethical and religious views. Some in society believe that abortion causes the fetus pain and that they can experience to the extent that we ourselves can, in otherRead MoreWhy Should You Go Vegetarian Or Vegan? Essay2200 Words   |  9 Pagesor vegan. Why does one choose to go vegetarian or vegan, and how the world and culture around them change when they ultimately do so? â€Å"History shows us that food consumption is steeped in morality and is a means for the practical transformation of moral and political visions into social practice... For some consumers, making ethical food choices on the products they purchase is a political act: an attempt to contest, construct, shape, direct, and determine policy through the decis ions they make aboutRead More Should Committed Environmentalists Choose to Adopt a Vegan/Vegetarian Diet?2232 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction The environmental impacts of a diet based in animal products is well documented and is the source of much debate. According to a controversial United Nations report entitled Livestocks Long Shadow (2006),â€Å"The livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.† For those committed to reducing their environmental impacts, one solution would be to transfer to a vegetarianRead MoreThe Ethical Argument For Veganism1685 Words   |  7 Pagesthe ethical argument for veganism through the lens of philosophy using Utilitarianism defined by John Stuart Mill, and Deontological ethics according to Immanuel Kant. Through the use of these theories, I will justify the moral worth and legitimacy of the animal welfare debate that is often used to promote a cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle by analyzing questions of animal sentience, the worth of an animal’s happiness, and the right humanity supposedly has to the lives of other living creatures.Read MoreEssay on An Argument for Vegetarianism3824 Words   |  16 PagesAn Argument for Vegetarianism ABSTRACT: In this paper I propose to answer the age-old reductio against vegetarianism, which is usually presented in the form of a sarcastic question ( e.g., How do you justify killing and eating plants?). Addressing the question takes on special significance in the light of arguments which seem to show that even nonsentient life is intrinsically valuable. Thus, I suggest that we rephrase the question in the following manner: When beings (who are biological and