Is Eating Meat Ethical?
Can we justify meat-eating? Should everyone become a vegan immediately? We asked our members…
In a time where the phrase “I’m vegan” cops a lot of hate, the ethicality of meat-eating has crossed the minds of most.
Despite the common misconception that vegetarians and vegans are trying to push their morality onto the rest of us carnivores, it appears we meat-eaters are the ones dishing out the most verbal abuse.
Most herbivores in the animal kingdom don’t seem to have a problem with other animals hunting within the food chain and consuming their prey (unless they are the prey, that is).
The dividing factor between humans and other animals, however, is the ability humans have to kill in mass quantities. The truth of the matter is that humans have greater capabilities and resources than other animals, and thus a comparison between the two in justifying our reliance on meat is largely invalid.
So, is it fair? Do vegans really deserve the backlash, or are they actually onto something?
As a carnivore, my instinctive response is that I need meat to live. Sure, I love it, but I also like to think it’s necessary; that it’s convenient, iron-rich, accessible and gives me all the protein I need. It seems natural, too.
Vegetarianism, on the other hand, just doesn’t seem practical in today’s society. Vegetarian or vegan food requires more thought, more time, more money. It’s like going on a strict diet wherein you can rarely eat out, rarely buy quick meals and rarely go to a friend’s house for dinner without causing some degree of inconvenience.
In this way, I believe that until Australia—or the world, really—embraces vegetarianism on a greater scale, meat-eating should not be scorned.
Philosophers have long debated the morality of killing, and though many conclusions have been reached, the consensus is that killing is bad unless it is necessary. And at the moment, meat-eating appears to be necessary to most Australians.
I will admit that meat-eating is definitely problematic, at least on the mass scale it currently functions. But rationally, it is unreasonable to scorn the morals of people who obey the calling of the majority, the habits they have grown up with and the convenience of a meatlovers pizza after a hard day at uni.
Ultimately, the mass slaughter of another species for the benefit and enjoyment of our own is unethical. But until it becomes less of a necessity, and other alternatives are made more readily available, it is unfair to simply label meat-eaters as immoral.
Congratulations to Georgia for winning this week's writing challenge: Is Eating Meat Ethical? Georgia wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Competitions section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!
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This is late but I am salty and I actually worked hard on this so this is what I have to say about this question:
From a young age, most of us are taught to eat meat, and do so happily, because we don’t know better. As we become older, the majority of us will continue to eat meat without questioning it because it’s just how it is, how it has always been, but does that mean it is ethical? In our modern world, much of the meat which we consume is produced in factory farms. In these farms, animals generally kept indoors at high densities as the aim of factory farming is to produce as much meat, eggs or milk at as low cost as possible. These animals live in poor conditions, with animals such as chicken living in spaces less than an A4 sheet of paper. As you can imagine, they are under great stress and have the tendency to attack one another. As a result, animals often have their beaks, tails and teeth removed, even though these are supposed to be last resort options. Is it really ethical to keep other sentient beings in such horrific conditions, only to slaughter them and eat them for our enjoyment? Not only does raising livestock impact the wellbeing of the animals being raised, but also the wellbeing of our own planet. It is estimated that agriculture is responsible for 14% of the world’s greenhouse gases. Believe it or not, cows cause pollution comparable to that of cars. They emit many litres of methane through belching and a lower amount through flatulence. Thus, by eating meat, you are contributing to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and in turn, climate change. Despite what many people think, the consumption of meat is no longer necessary for survival or health today. Meat may provide nutrients including protein and iron, but these nutrients can also be found in non-meat substances such as nuts, beans, tofu and seeds. For those who enjoy the taste of meat, there are also many meat substitutes which are just as delicious and nutritious but without the guilt. Yes, meat may be tasty, but do the ends really justify the means? I’m not asking you to stop eating meat completely. That choice is up to you. Instead, I urge you to try having a meat-free week or day or even just a simple meal and see how far you go from there; after all, it’s the little changes that make a big difference.
I agree, you don't really talk about the ethics of it at all. Have you looked into the way animals are treated in modern society and factory farms? The way they live day-to-day and how they are killed? My view is that if people thought about where their food came from for a second I can gaurantee they wouldn't like it.
I also agree with the other comments that non-animal food is just as convenient as animal food! Where does that meat lovers pizza come from? A pizza shop. What else do they sell there? Vegie pizza. Garlic bread. Same amount of convenience and usually cheaper too.
This paper sounded a lot more opinion based and the person was trying to justify eating meat rather than answer the question with facts. By the way, if you are trying to justify eating something, your brain is trying to reduce cognitive dissonance between your beliefs and your behaviour. You know eating meat is unethical and yet you continue to do it, so you justify by thinking that you need meat to survive.
It's actually really surprising that this article won anything considering how it's so wrong on so many levels. Has this person ever taken a human biology or nutrition class in their life? The question was 'is meat eating ethical?', not 'why should I eat meat when vegans don't?'. The question doesn't ask for Georgia's justification on why she eats meat but rather whether eating meat is ethical or not. The only paragraph that even remotely starts to answer the question is the last one. I realise this is an 'opinion' piece but at least get your facts straight and educate yourself - very poor choice by StudentEdge here.
We are not carnivores, we are omnivores. We are great apes, we are meant to be eating plants and insects (For vitamin B12) like monkeys do, and maybe the occasional fish (for Omega 3s)? I don't see any chimps running around tearing into gazelle like a lion. As well as our teeth not being made to rip into flesh, ergo - we're not carnivores, and shouldn't really be eating red or white meat.
Plus! Amazing science has given us fortified foods (like tofu and plant based milk) and supplements to provide us with those nutrients (B12 + Omega 3s). We can get every single nutrient and vitamin we need from a plant-based source that doesn't involve harming animals. We don't need to eat meat, so meat therefore it isn't a necessity.
Every single shop you go to has products that don't involve harming animals, we have the basic alternatives like tofu, almond/soy/coconut/cashew/rice/macadamia milk and all the fruits and vegetables. Then there's the specialised alternatives like the mock meats (that I have never not seen stocked at any Woolies, Coles's or IGA i've ever been to): Burgers, nuggets, chicken fillets, mincemeat, sausages and the list goes on! As well as a whole load of 'accidentally vegan' products like some flavours of Smiths chips, Arnotts chocolate ripple biscuits, skittles, sour patch kids, some flavours of Doritos, Hersheys chocolate syrup, Nutri-grain, Oreos and so much more! When you go to Dominoes, just skip the cheese and meat and add a garlic bread - and there you have a cruelty free, cheap, easy meal! :)
Going out for dinners or to a friends place has never been a problem. calling ahead (in the very slim chance the place doesn't already have a veg option - places are very accomodating) or bringing your own snacks/food I feel like is a small price to pay to not condone the suffering of animals.
The world can only change if its people change. You can not wait for the system to create something there is no demand for.
I feel like everyone sees becoming vegan as an extreme, I did too, but I honestly forget I am sometimes because what I do on a day to day basis hasn't changed at all. I'm currently receiving support payments through Centrelink while renting and studying, I can tell you right now, money is not an issue - assuming you have enough money to already pay for food, you are able to pay for that same food without supporting the harm of animals.