What part of this logic for not eating meat is wrong?

Question

1)It is wrong to cause unnecessary suffering
2)We should not encourage things that are wrong
Therefore, A)we should not encourage unnecessary suffering.

3)Modern farming and butchering of animals causes suffering
4)Eating meat encourages farming and butchering of animals
Therefore, B)eating meat encourages suffering

5)Eating meat is unnecessary (lots of healthy people don't do it)

From (5), (A), and (B), we can conclude that we should not eat meat.

The logic seems simple, yet, most people do eat meat. Do they disagree with one of the five premises, the logic, or just not care about doing what they know they shouldn't?

It seems the prevailing opinion of responders is that animals probably don't suffer. But how do we know that humans other than us suffer? Because they act as though they do. It is worth mentioning that human and nonhuman animals act similarly when being tortured. They have similarly structured nervous sytems, which seem to have all of the requisite parts for sensing and responding to pain.

Even if it can't be proven that animals feel pain in the same way that we do, isn't it worth considering that they might? Given a choice between an action that seems likely (though not surely) to cause suffering and one that seems unlikely (though possibly) to cause suffering, should we not choose the second?

Answer 1

Just because you can't easily see or hear the suffering of plants doesn't mean that they have no feelings. Did you know plants scream when they die. They vibrate at a frequency inaudible to humans, but other plants hear. You may think that I am exaggerating, but think about how meat eaters justify animal suffering...they ignore it.

So, eating meat is wrong, but eating plants is no less wrong. Life feeds on life so live with that, and don't be dishonest with yourself.

Answer 2

The whole basis for your argument against eating meat is the premise that it causes unnecessary suffering.
However, eating is a necessity.

Ever watch a nature show where a lion takes down its prey, chewing the prey's throat out? Its a necessary part of life.

From the most strict puritanical spiritual sense, all living things are sacred. Even eating plant life means consuming a life force. Vegetarians are killers of life force, but too egocentric to recognize it.

Now, if I were to further the cause of unnecessary suffering, I would be more apt to agree that consuming more food, of any kind, than is necessary to sustain a healthy body, results in unnecessary suffering, and consumption of life force. For that, I should be conscientious.

Answer 3

None of it is wrong, until you count the extremes that are after the vegan levels (mono diets, fruitarians, ets)

However, there are many factors that keep people eating meat. For one, there is culture. There is also economic situation. Do you honestly believe that impoverished people in a land poorly suited for agriculture can eat something other than meat? Some people simply cannot afford a vegetarian lifestyle, while others feel that parts of their culture is just too high a price to pay.
And you are right, there are some who just dont care. But those two reasons keep people from being vegetarian. . . .dont you think?

Answer 4

Eating meat does not encourage suffering, necessarily. That's only the case if we eat meat from the companies that cause the suffering. There are humane butchers out there that don't torture the animals and free range animals aren't tortured.

Answer 5

Premise #1 is incorrect. It is not wrong to cause unnecessary suffering in all cases. When I step on an ant, I cause it unnecessary suffering, but it is not wrong. The same with eating meat.

Answer 6

There are several problems.
Some premises are not necessarily true.
For example (3) requires EXTENSIVE justification.
A lot of people believe that only humans can truly suffer. One can, for example, argue that since animals are not completely self conscious they cannot suffer. The animals' behavior that aims to minimize pain is merely an instinct for survival.

(5) Is also suspect for example B12 deficiencies can be severe if vegetarian diet is not proper. A lot of poor people on America(people on food stamps) cannot afford to eat on A PROPER vegetarian diet.

(1) is also suspect on a different way. One can say that since animals are inferior to humans, or are from different species, or lack moral judgment -- it is not in fact wrong to make them suffer,

Also your logic is suspect.
The conclusion that i can draw from your argument is that "farming methods should be changed to kill animals painlessly"
not necessarily that people should not eat meat.

Answer 7

I agree with you a whole-hearted 100%, but have you ever smelled a Filet Mignon from Ruth's Chris Steak House. Oh my god. All that pleasure makes you forget about any kind of suffering that might of happened.

Besides that, I like to hunt deer, rabbit, squirrel, dove. And I try to end their suffering as humanely as possible after I've shot them.

Answer 8

Well, since I am assuming you are not an animal (cow, goat, chicken, or pig, whatever) I am going to have to ask you how you know that animals suffer? I am a firm believer in God, the bible tells us what to eat. God created man, so you'd think He knows what he is talking about. Why not ask the question why people are eating man-made substances like Tofu that was never meant for human consumption?

Answer 9

I eat meat and I agree with u, I was just raised on it, now if i actually saw an animal being butchered....i might reconsider

Answer 10

Way to pass from the acceptable to the dubious, you lackey. You've attempted to take a series of unfounded assumptions to prove an unfounded point that is hardly the least bit philosophical.

In many opinions, being forced to consume tofu is unnecessary suffering.