DEUTSCHEmily Patterson-Kane
A utopia of mutual benefit of all human-animal interactions
Part of the human condition is an evolutionarily-created addiction to the exploitation of animals. It is often hard to appreciate the compulsive and often harmful quality of animal uses we are most driven to desire, be that eating meat, wearing animal fibers, or keeping animal pets.
Having the capacity to appreciate and care about the welfare of animals leaves me, and humanity in general, conflicted. Most people try to only use animals when it is for the greater good, to the benefit of the animal, or simply very important to them for any one of a myriad of reasons. But we lack a consensus as to how to impartially make the decisions about what is, or is not, acceptable across the board. Ultimately most people have a rational appreciation of what it is to be a thriving and fulfilled individual, and we want this for animals as well as for humans.
I believe humanity should aspire to a utopia where all human-animal interactions are mutually beneficial, however it is very difficult see how we will get there from where we are now, or even if we can.
What about plants? I have thought about this topic but I just don’t have anything of substance to say about it. It is a possibility I just can’t take seriously. More…
