Animals Used as a Source of Food

Abstract

AbstractNowadays, more sentient animals are used for their meat, milk, and eggs than ever before in history. This chapter shows that many—but not all—uses of animals for food are morally problematic. Speciesist prejudices mask that animals are commonly due more consideration than we give them. First, this chapter examines animal products involving suffering, arguing that such products are often—but not always—morally problematic. Second, it discusses whether there is a problem with killing animals which could be deemed “happy.” Third, it argues against “principled veganism,” contending that dependency does not necessarily result in increased vulnerability. Finally, it is concluded that we should recognize many groups of animals we commonly use for food as particularly vulnerable and augment their protection accordingly.