DEUTSCHThomas Gröbly
What crows, elephants and humans want
The use of animals is shaped by a tradition that perceives nothing objectionable about it. However, violent interactions with animals in rearing, husbandry and killing is ethically not justifiable.
At the same time life is impossible without limiting other living beings. This constitutes a serious conflict, even if not recognised by many. Yet usually we lack the empathy to perceive the cruelty and the suffering, and thus a sense of injustice is missing. Consequently we fall short of our own intellectual and emotional possibilities and violate not only the dignity of creature, but of ourselves as well.
What about plants? If we attribute dignity to plants, then we have to protect it, and forbidding the use of plants is out of question. I deem it, however, plausible to establish a hierarchy between different beings. As human animals we have no alternative to eating plants. Therefore the “use” of plants is acceptable. Certainly the imperative of non-violence is valid here as well. More…
