Killing animals

[stfoskey15]

Sometimes I wonder when it is morally acceptable to kill animals. Since humans are mentally more capable than animals, it makes sense that a human life is worth more than an animal life. So animal killing should be justifiable in terms of self defense. But is human life enough more valuable than animal life to justify things like eating meat and wearing fur or leather clothing? Eating meat is definitely more convenient than trying to find protein (or other nutrients typically gotten from animals) from other sources, and it tastes good. Similarly, fur and leather can look or feel nice. But I'm not sure how to figure out if that's enough to justify killing an animal. On the opposite end from self defense there is animal cruelty; harming animals for pleasure. I think we can all agree that that is wrong, because if nothing else, we as a society do not want to encourage sadism. When killing is acceptable also depends on the type of animal. Insects are so unintelligent that it seems as though killing them would only be bad if it causes significant damage to the ecosystem. Similarly, fish seem less intelligent than other animals, so it's hard for me to find an issue with eating well-farmed fish.
What are your thoughts on the matter?

[shunyadragon]

Sometimes I wonder when it is morally acceptable to kill animals. Since humans are mentally more capable than animals, it makes sense that a human life is worth more than an animal life. So animal killing should be justifiable in terms of self defense. But is human life enough more valuable than animal life to justify things like eating meat and wearing fur or leather clothing? Eating meat is definitely more convenient than trying to find protein (or other nutrients typically gotten from animals) from other sources, and it tastes good. Similarly, fur and leather can look or feel nice. But I'm not sure how to figure out if that's enough to justify killing an animal. On the opposite end from self defense there is animal cruelty; harming animals for pleasure. I think we can all agree that that is wrong, because if nothing else, we as a society do not want to encourage sadism. When killing is acceptable also depends on the type of animal. Insects are so unintelligent that it seems as though killing them would only be bad if it causes significant damage to the ecosystem. Similarly, fish seem less intelligent than other animals, so it's hard for me to find an issue with eating well-farmed fish.
What are your thoughts on the matter?

Humans evolved as opportunistic omnivores, basically adapted over the millennia a adapting to many combinations of food sources all over the world. Our digestive system evolved to this diet and not well adapted to being a vegetarian nor a carnivore. Nutrients like B12 for the most part is only available in meat products. Unlike other vegetarian animals that are capable of producing their own B12.

[Bill the Cat]

Sometimes I wonder when it is morally acceptable to kill animals. Since humans are mentally more capable than animals, it makes sense that a human life is worth more than an animal life. So animal killing should be justifiable in terms of self defense. But is human life enough more valuable than animal life to justify things like eating meat and wearing fur or leather clothing? Eating meat is definitely more convenient than trying to find protein (or other nutrients typically gotten from animals) from other sources, and it tastes good. Similarly, fur and leather can look or feel nice. But I'm not sure how to figure out if that's enough to justify killing an animal. On the opposite end from self defense there is animal cruelty; harming animals for pleasure. I think we can all agree that that is wrong, because if nothing else, we as a society do not want to encourage sadism. When killing is acceptable also depends on the type of animal. Insects are so unintelligent that it seems as though killing them would only be bad if it causes significant damage to the ecosystem. Similarly, fish seem less intelligent than other animals, so it's hard for me to find an issue with eating well-farmed fish.
What are your thoughts on the matter?

From a outsider assuming a naturalistic perspective, to me, there is precious little difference between a cucumber and a cow. Both are organic and edible. Both qualify as "alive". Both fit into our evolved diet. Both have to die in order to be eaten. I don't see why intelligence of the species matters. From a Christian perspective, God gave us both to eat as long as we do so with thanksgiving. I see no problem with eating animals.

Hunting for sport is a bit more nuanced. Since we humans have upset the natural balance between predator/prey, herds can (and do) get out of control and cause devastation to the ecosystem, not to mention the increased risk of disease spreading.

Harming animals for fun is morally wrong no matter what angle you look at it.

[Cow Poke]

From a outsider assuming a naturalistic perspective, to me, there is precious little difference between a cucumber and a cow. Both are organic and edible. Both qualify as "alive". Both fit into our evolved diet. Both have to die in order to be eaten. I don't see why intelligence of the species matters. From a Christian perspective, God gave us both to eat as long as we do so with thanksgiving. I see no problem with eating animals.

Hunting for sport is a bit more nuanced. Since we humans have upset the natural balance between predator/prey, herds can (and do) get out of control and cause devastation to the ecosystem, not to mention the increased risk of disease spreading.

Harming animals for fun is morally wrong no matter what angle you look at it.

Yeah

[rogue06]

I've always been an advocate of eating what you hunt.

[Catholicity]

I personally have frequently wrestled with eating red meat and pork given that I believe mammals have intelligence. Poultry is less of an issue for me though I again wrestle with environmental concerns and tend to eat only certain types of chicken. (It has to be grown a certain way pasturized a certain way) We buy eggs off the farms here, you get the idea. I don't so much have issues with fish and shellfish. However at the same time B-12 isn't readily obtained unless you eat red meat and same with iron, although since I eat dark meat from poultry I dont have much of an issue here. and I regularly eat certain products with b-12 or fortified.....meh, leave it to a person to decide for themselves. Like everyone else here, killing for sport is totally wrong, Animals are not trophies.

[Cow Poke]

My issue is snakes.

I think it's important to know which ones are poisonous and pose a threat, and which ones are harmless.

By "pose a threat" - I mean, for example, a poisonous snake on my property where my grandkids play or my dog runs. I'll kill that snake every chance I get.

It's not that difficult to identify the "bad" snakes. I know people who say "if it's a snake, it needs to die".

[Roy]

I've always been an advocate of eating what you hunt.

I hunted down a packet of crisps this morning. Tasted good.

[Roy]

My issue is snakes.

For eating?

[Cerebrum123]

My issue is snakes.

I think it's important to know which ones are poisonous and pose a threat, and which ones are harmless.

By "pose a threat" - I mean, for example, a poisonous snake on my property where my grandkids play or my dog runs. I'll kill that snake every chance I get.

It's not that difficult to identify the "bad" snakes. I know people who say "if it's a snake, it needs to die".

Do you know a good way, short of having a gun, to kill poisonous snakes? We've seen some at our local places for fishing. We could tell because their body floated on top of the water. Lucky for us they were far away. In the future though, it might be a good idea to have a plan if they get too close.

[alaskazimm]

Do you know a good way, short of having a gun, to kill poisonous snakes? We've seen some at our local places for fishing. We could tell because their body floated on top of the water. Lucky for us they were far away. In the future though, it might be a good idea to have a plan if they get too close.

In the vast majority of the time when dealing with wild animals, I've found that if you don't startle or corner an animal they much prefer to be far away from you. The old truism holds true "They're more scared of you than you are of them". When we lived in San Diego I would mountain bike around in the hills and mountains and came across many rattlers and never had any trouble because as I approached they vacated the area as fast as they could.

[mossrose]

Do you know a good way, short of having a gun, to kill poisonous snakes? We've seen some at our local places for fishing. We could tell because their body floated on top of the water. Lucky for us they were far away. In the future though, it might be a good idea to have a plan if they get too close.

Run. Very fast.

[Jim B.]

I'd have much less trouble ethically eating shrimp than eating chimp. Maybe it's because chimps are much more like us than shrimp. But I think it has to do with the complexity of the brain/nervous system, the richness of their experiences and their relations with other members of their species. Chimps appear tp have self-awareness; shrimp probably do not.

If an alien species as far advanced form us intellectually as we are to chickens, were to land, would it be morally okay for them to eat us?

[Cerebrum123]

In the vast majority of the time when dealing with wild animals, I've found that if you don't startle or corner an animal they much prefer to be far away from you. The old truism holds true "They're more scared of you than you are of them". When we lived in San Diego I would mountain bike around in the hills and mountains and came across many rattlers and never had any trouble because as I approached they vacated the area as fast as they could.

Not the case with water moccasins. They will just keep going where they want to regardless of what's going on.

Run. Very fast.

Not sure I'll have that option.

[alaskazimm]

Not the case with water moccasins. They will just keep going where they want to regardless of what's going on.

Never had the pleasure of meeting one. That said the best part of living in Alaska is the severe lack of snakes in the wilderness; we only have to deal with the occasional grizzly or love struck moose.