Should We Eat Meat?

Thanksgiving arrives every year with a heated debate over how to best cook that plump and juicy turkey. But the idea of a tofu turkey (also known as a “tofurkey”) has gone from a joke a couple years ago to a reality for many. While vegetarianism has been practiced for over a thousand years in some countries, it is a relatively new concept in the West. And so, with the question cropping up more and more often, should we eat meat?

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Regarding Argument

A Note About Differences with PETA

- From Gary L Francione

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PETA and Animal Rights

Although this may appear to be a side-issue, I note that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is regularly cited as experts on issues involving the use of nonhuman animals and also described as an "animal rights" organisation.

There are serious doubts about the veracity of the latter claim as they as an organisation adhere to the welfarist philosophy of utilitarian Peter Singer. This means that PeTA do not present a rights-based argument against animal use and, as Prof. Francione pointed out, are increasingly involved in the regulation of animal treatment. For example, their recent campaign in Canada involved striking a deal with KFC to get millions of chickens gassed in controlled atmosphere killing systems.

Since Opposing Views puts great store on the involvement of experts, their status is important.

- Rog August 3, 2008 6:00AM

Reply to this Recommend (2) Side: No

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- a moderate PETA member agrees with you
  
  I am very aware of the fact that PETA is a radical organization, when it comes to many issues and many of their actions; and even though I a member of PETA, I too, disagree with PETA being used as a debate expert.
  
  - gatorgirl7563 April 17, 2009 4:13PM
  
  Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: Yes
  
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PeTA and their 'happy meat'

Every time I see/hear PeTA mentioned, the first word that comes to my mind is HYPOCRISY!!!

I'm Vegan and an Animal Rights activist, I'm NOT a Welfarist but certainly am an Abolitionist! I know that animals are sentient & believe they have the right to be left alone... PeTA (the Welfarists) think the animals can & will be killed, as long as they say so, eg if they're 'homeless', if they're treated 'better', etc.

Vegans should NOT be supporting PeTA!!!
(neither should anyone else!)

- veganpanda August 11, 2008 11:29AM

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P-ta will evolve

I am hoping they will catch up to more current ideas soon. I think most Welfarists will ultimately become Abolitionists as they become increasingly informed. Just vegetarianism is oft a stop over on the path to Veganism. We ought to treat them as we would any sick animals who need nurturing. Fighting them pushes them further away.

- M3house August 15, 2008 1:14PM

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Another Perspective

I am not personally familiar with PETA but it seems from the general comments that they are taking a more incremental approach to affecting change. Instead of making the issue all-or-nothing they've chosen to fight the battles they can hopefully win while they build the might necessary to accomplish more substantial changes to our way of living. The difference lies less is matters of belief and more in matters of method.

As for the comment that they present utilitarian arguments as opposed to rights-based arguments I would find this logical, regardless of the source of their own beliefs, since our society is one that responds to utility arguments; an in fact non-vegans are likely such for utilitarian reasons as opposed to philosophical ones and as such they understand the utilitarian language.

- polobo September 1, 2008 12:04AM

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Peta Is Not Vegan

Peta promotes (as you said) happy meat , which there is no such thing. Even if the animal does have a "happy" life, their beds be stuffed with straw, time out to roam around in the fields. When it comes down to it, when that animal is slaughtered it still feel's the same fear, confusion and anxiety that the In-humane animals feel. Peta is not vegan at all. Sure little abuse is better than tons, but it still get's killed in the end.

- Vegan-Punk August 4, 2009 10:36PM

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Experts on "No" Side

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People for Ethical Treatment of Animals See arguments
Gary L Francione
Rutgers University School of Law See arguments

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