Is this thread necro? Anyway, I want to say something on both sides of the argument.
1) I think the assumption that raising animals for slaughter, killing them, and eating them, reeks of Biblical logic. We are "special," and the needs or wants of other organism are therefore below ours. I don't see any non-arbitrary reason why why should undervalue the suffering or loss of life of animals, especially when it's not necessary in Western countries for a good diet.
2) The assumption that not eating meat will necessarily reduce suffering or loss of life may not hold true. Farming involves loss of habitat, clear-cutting involves direct deaths, and the eating of a cow which is grass fed may actually reduce the NUMBER of lives loss (gophers and birds getting mulched in large farm equipment, etc.)
1) I think the assumption that raising animals for slaughter, killing them, and eating them, reeks of Biblical logic. We are "special," and the needs or wants of other organism are therefore below ours. I don't see any non-arbitrary reason why why should undervalue the suffering or loss of life of animals, especially when it's not necessary in Western countries for a good diet.
2) The assumption that not eating meat will necessarily reduce suffering or loss of life may not hold true. Farming involves loss of habitat, clear-cutting involves direct deaths, and the eating of a cow which is grass fed may actually reduce the NUMBER of lives loss (gophers and birds getting mulched in large farm equipment, etc.)
