Is vegan ethics based on the idea that man is equal or superior to animals?

[psychedelicsoul]

I am suggesting that perhaps we could change that one day.
Through the purification of the human race the animal kingdom will also change.

Even in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic bears eat fish

 

[Valjean]

Vegan here.
Superiority has nothing to do with it. The 1ry motivator with most vegans I've met is avoiding inflicting or contributing to the pain or suffering on other sentient beings.
It's pretty similar to the reason we don't prey on family and neighbors.

 

[allfoak]

well... okay dude

Sorry dude.....

I can't prove this stuff to you or anyone else.
The only thing i can do is tell you how to prove it to yourself.
Most think it to be foolishness so they never even listen, let alone act on anything i say.
I understand.
I just wish sometimes it were different.
It's difficult to talk to people when they think your crazy.

What i know i know from following the principles of natural law.
I am an alchemist at heart but i am trying to improve on that knowledge some.
Rise above the label so to speak by moving beyond the concept that is alchemy.

 

[McBell]

I just hate plants.

 

[fantome profane]

The animal kingdom is part of us, as well as the vegetable and mineral kingdoms.
Everything you see is a reflection of yourself.
When humans stop being predatory the animals will naturally follow because they exist on a lower level of consciousness and are pulled up to a higher consciousness by us.

We have a very important job to do, we humans.
We are uniting heaven and earth (higher and lower consciousness).

The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem arranges an exhibit displaying Messianic times,
the centerpiece being a cage with a lion and lamb peacefully co-existing.
Visitors are amazed, and one in particular decides he simply must find out who is responsible for this miracle.

With some inquiries he learns that, of all people, the talented zoo keeper is none other than Henry Kissinger.
He seeks out Kissinger and asks, "By God, how do you do it? I've never seen anything like it." And Kissinger answers, in his trademark monotone deadpan:
"Every day - a new lamb."


Or in the words of that great Jewish philosopher - "And the lion will lie down with the lamb, but the lamb wont get much sleep" - Woody Allen

 

[allfoak]

I just hate plants.

No bugs without plants...

 

[allfoak]

The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem arranges an exhibit displaying Messianic times,
the centerpiece being a cage with a lion and lamb peacefully co-existing.
Visitors are amazed, and one in particular decides he simply must find out who is responsible for this miracle.

With some inquiries he learns that, of all people, the talented zoo keeper is none other than Henry Kissinger.
He seeks out Kissinger and asks, "By God, how do you do it? I've never seen anything like it." And Kissinger answers, in his trademark monotone deadpan:
"Every day - a new lamb."


Or in the words of that great Jewish philosopher - "And the lion will lie down with the lamb, but the lamb wont get much sleep" - Woody Allen

In a predatory world we all live in cages.
It is sad.

 

[fantome profane]

In a predatory world we all live in cages.
It is sad.

“Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage"

 

[Sand Dancer]

"How can you eat meat? Animals are no different than any of us, we're animals"
"But animals eat animals"
"Well... Yea, but we're humans, we're supposed to be better"

See the problem with this? If humans are equal to animals, then we're under the same ethical responsibility that animals are under... which is basically no ethical responsibility between species. In other words, if animals are equal, then we have no moral obligation to treat them like us because animals don't.
The only way this makes sense is to assume that man is superior to animals and has a moral obligation to never harm them, simply because man is the most evolved and with great evolution comes great responsibility.

I don't have a problem with eating meat. I do have a problem of how animals are treated by meat companies. They are treated cruelly.

 

[McBell]

No bugs without plants...

Works for me.
I hate bugs as well.

 

[Quintessence]

I just hate plants.

Hating plants equals hating:

1. Houses and assorted things we put in them like chairs, tables, and beds
2. Clothing, such as shirts, pants, underwear, and shoes
3. Fossil Fuels and all of their assorted benefits like electricity and technology like computers
4. Foods, such as all grains and grain products, plus all fruits and vegetables
5. Beverages, such as all types of alcoholic beverages, sodas, tea, and coffee
6. Being alive in general, because you stupid animals basically don't exist without the plant kingdom.

(in seriousness though, our 100% total dependence on plants is why I get super confused why people think not eating animals is some sort of moral high ground)

 

[McBell]

Hating plants equals hating:

1. Houses and assorted things we put in them like chairs, tables, and beds
2. Clothing, such as shirts, pants, underwear, and shoes
3. Fossil Fuels and all of their assorted benefits like electricity and technology
4. Foods, such as all grains and grain products, plus all fruits and vegetables
5. Beverages, such as all types of alcoholic beverages, sodas, tea, and coffee
6. Being alive in general, because you stupid animals basically don't exist without the plant kingdom.

Like to dictate to me what else I supposedly hate?
When you are done, perhaps you can dictate what I love?

 

[Quintessence]

Like to dictate to me what else I supposedly hate?
When you are done, perhaps you can dictate what I love?

Maybe when you haven't left a sense of humor at the login page...

 

[McBell]

Maybe when you haven't left a sense of humor at the login page...

My apologies.
I was in a bad mood and took it out on you.

 

[Quintessence]

My apologies.
I was in a bad mood and took it out on you.

Don't worry about it. I figured the abundant smileys would be a hint. Maybe we need more?

 

[Valjean]

Derail alert:
I took Mestemia's "I hate plants" to be tongue-in-cheek -- a joke -- not a serious thesis for discussion.

 

[Iti oj]

other justifications for veganism
environmentalism. I know eat least 3 people who eat vegan diets because its better for the environment.

 

[Valjean]

Excellent point -- animal husbandry is an environmental disaster.

 

[Deepeco]

"How can you eat meat? Animals are no different than any of us, we're animals"
"But animals eat animals"
"Well... Yea, but we're humans, we're supposed to be better"

See the problem with this? If humans are equal to animals, then we're under the same ethical responsibility that animals are under... which is basically no ethical responsibility between species. In other words, if animals are equal, then we have no moral obligation to treat them like us because animals don't.
The only way this makes sense is to assume that man is superior to animals and has a moral obligation to never harm them, simply because man is the most evolved and with great evolution comes great responsibility.

The correct reasoning is:
"How can you eat meat? Animals are no different than any of us when it comes to sentience and suffering"
"But animals eat animals"
"Well... Yea, but that is not a justification to cause unnecessary suffering yourself"
Whether we are morally better than someone else (than an animal) is not important. All that matters is that everyone (including all animals) should do good. And good means at least not causing unnecessary suffering. If non-human animals cause unnecessary suffering, that is immoral.

 

[Valjean]

Moral action presupposes the actor be a moral agent.