I do not particularly approve of putting all living things on an equally moral footing
I don't put all living things on a equal moral footing, either. I am, for example, not a vegetarian. On the other hand, I find fur coats disgusting. We cannot eliminate all suffering. Occasionally, suffering is even helpful. But I have a real problem with unnecessary suffering, gratuitous suffering, and cavalier disregard for suffering.
Humans are omnivores. I don't have a problem with raising livestock for food if the animals have decent, albeit brief, lives and are killed humanely. OTOH, there's no excuse for hurting an animal just so you can wear it. At one time there was because people needed the warmth. Now we have polar fleece. There's no excuse for killing a mink. Anthropocentrism justifies killing minks.
Anthropocentrism also makes us squeamish about the compassionate avoidance of suffering for humans. I can hardly have less compassion for humans than I do for other animals. I would not bring one into a life of suffering nor deny one an exit from suffering.
I can only say that I consider such matters beyond the consensus, and a matter of religious or philosophical diversity.
I have a great deal of respect for religious or philosophical diversity. I only ask the same consideration from others--that they not impose their beliefs about life and death on me. There are worse things than death, IMO.
Karen |
