Enviromental Ethics and the Ideology of Meat Eating

摘要: This essay begins at the intersection of two controversies that are considerable importance to contemporary discussions about relationship between our species and restofnature. One concerns question whether a compelling case can be made for vegetarianism on moral grounds. The other has do with debate proponents ofanimal rights ethical holists over which kind theory provides more adequate foundation new environmental ethic. My remarks have their origin in some personal observations as well. Over past decade half I been participant numerous conferences, seminars workshops themes having animal or liberation; also involved many centering problems environ­ mental ethics. These all positive experiences me one way another, have, believe, expanded horizons ofeveryone present. Yet could not avoid noticing when am an liberation conference it is foregone conclusion, essential premise, food presented delegates shall vegetarian, even vegan. In contraSt, conferences occupied topics ethics conunonly display no such commitment; matter fact, fmd myself these gatherings surrounded by persons discoursing earnestly subtleties biocentrism, land ethic, value· theory, deep ecology, Gaianism, so forth who simultaneously tucking lustily into steaks, chops, bacon, veal apparent qualms. At recent sustainable development, fifty participants. only others besides had requested vegetarian meals. workshop higher education, was thirty participants eating meat. may thought too much weight being placed here source evidence, should noted seventeen general anthologies work philosophy appeared since 1974, contains specifically devoted agricultural issues.1None treats topic meat problem. same omission found monographs fields. (Ecofeminists, however, engage this issue2 appear group theorists whom anything like central concern. What entails will considered briefly section 5.) does mean? Before attempt answer let say