Abstract
The article defends ethical vegetarianism, which, for present purposes, is stipulatively taken to be the view that it is morally wrong to eat animals when equally nutritious plant-based foods are available. Several examples are introduced (i) to show that we all agree that animals deserve some direct moral consideration and (ii) to help identify and clarify several commonsense moral principles—principles we all accept. These principles are then used to argue that eating animals is morally wrong. Since you no doubt accept these principles, the argument demonstrates that consistency with your own beliefs and values commits you to the immorality of eating meat and requires you to alter your eating behavior accordingly.
Recommended Citation
Engel, Mylan Jr.
(2016)
"The Commonsense Case for Ethical Vegetarianism,"
Between the Species:
Vol. 19:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/bts/vol19/iss1/1