(May 15, 2016 at 4:10 pm)Aroura Wrote:(May 15, 2016 at 3:08 pm)The Reality Salesman Wrote: I suppose I could conscious creatures and substitute it with living creatures. I'm just thinking of how hyper-focused Jainism is on avoiding any and all violence toward living things. If I said "unnecessary violence" then we'd be splitting hairs all day about whether or not we actually have to eat animals, or worse, we'd wander into an even more uninteresting debate over salad and whether or not lettuce is alive before we kill it. I figure, all worthwhile considerations of good/bad seem to depend on consciousness in some capacity, or at least, the potential for being conscious; how we define it is a bit sketchy. I just can't think of any discussion of morality/ethics that doesn't in some way revolve around consciousness.
Even dog lovers (I am one), at their core, feel as though there is enough behind those big brown eyes on a mastiff when you've had a shitty day to warrant consideration for the likelihood of a consciousness of some kind. We may be anthropomorphizing, but it's through a connection with the animal as something more than a rock that qualifies them worthy of a higher quality of life...even if they secretly don't even like us. Delusional as it may be, the sense of potential consciousness is there for animal lovers, and I think that's what triggers an intuitive emotional and ethical responsibility to them. So, I think all things that fall under this umbrella should be considered when practicing this Atheist's guide to not being a dick. IMO.
As I just said to Mr Brewer, perhaps respect would be better? Because respect does not mean not to kill it, if necessary. Sometimes we need to kill bacteria, but sometimes we need to protect them, depending on the kind.
Perhaps respect for the balance of nature? I'm not sure how to phrase it either. I'm not PITA, I don't mean don't eat anything that casts a shadow, lol. I just mean, like if you need to eat fish, don't take more than you need. Don't have 5 kids when there isn't enough food for everyone to begin with. Don't kill bugs just because they creep you out. Because when you kill the spider your house will be overrun with flies. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I'm not sure how to make it a short, clear statement.
Native American philosophy kind of sums that up really doesn't it? Don't exploit nature... only take what you absolutely need... and even then show respect and gratitude to the animal that died for you.
