When we examine racism, we see that the justifications for it came from dividing the world into the 'in-group' and the 'out-group'. We are obligated to extend to those in the in-group (for example, white people) rights and ethical treatment. Those in the out-group are inferior and unimportant and as such, are not worthy of such rights. We are justified in treating them in whatever manner we so choose.
Of course we rightly cringe at such an argument (or at least I hope so!). Yet what is the fundamental difference between racism and 'specisism', wherein the 'in-group' is defined as humans, and the out-group, all other animals. How can we justify allowing them to suffer?
There are two obvious ways in which many are content with allowing them to suffer; eating them and scientifically experimenting on them. These cruel practices must end if we are to be able to condemn racism (among other things) without being morally inconsistent.
EDIT: I do not want to hear arguments from religious beliefs.
If your justification for eating animals is because animals don't have souls, unlike humans, then you are entitled to this belief. But I don't want this particular thread to be dragged down into the messy and pointless (and all too ubiquitous) arguments which have been discussed time and time again on this board.
Any arguments presented must not use religious beliefs as a starting point.
Some possible objections:
1. Animals don't feel pain.
The only reason we have for assuming other humans feel pain is based on the fact that they show the appropriate behaviours in certain situations. They cry and scream and struggle when in these situations. Animals show the same behaviours. Hence, we are presumably justified in assuming that they do feel pain. (Once again, one could make a racist argument by claiming that we don't know if other races feel pain).
2. Animals aren't intelligent like we are/Animals aren't capable of reason.
But young infants aren't intelligent. Can we treat them in whatever manner we please? What about the mentally retarded?
3. We evolved to eat meat. It is natural.
It does not follow that because something is natural, it is good. If it could be shown that humans evolved so as to be naturally xenophobic that it would make racism moral? Or what if it could be shown that male dominance over women is a natural product of evolution?
It simply does not follow that because humans evolved to behave in some particular way, that this way is ethically good.
4. Experimenting on animals prevents suffering in humans.
But a huge amount of animal experimentation is not done for vital medical purposes, but instead, for cosmetic testing; seeing how animals react to shampoos or seeing how large a dose is a 'lethal dose' of some food additive.
What about the cases where the experimenting is not for commercial use, but for medical and scientific purposes?
Many experiments are of uncertain value. They appear to exist solely to satisfy the curiosity of some scientists. In most cases the benefits to humans are either uncertain or non-existant, while the suffering of animals is certain and real.
5. Farmed animals live good, pain-free lives. What more can you ask for?
But this is simply not true. Many farm animals lead miserable lives. Many hens are kept in cages so small that they cannot even move their wings. The cattle which provide most of the beef in America also live in extremely cramped conditions. And when it comes to finally committing the act of killing, the conditions in a slaughter-house are far from 'pain-free'.
Even if these particular practices were put to a stop, farming animals, in general, causes much suffering; castration, separation of mother and young, branding and so on.
Although it is possible that conditions could be set up so as to allow farm animals to lead quality lives, this would not be able to supply us with the large amount of meat we currently consume (and it would not be commercially viable). And anyway, it is beside the point to argue what 'could' happen. The fact is, that by buying meat
now you are supporting cruelty being inflicted upon animals.
(For the record; this post is done in a purely 'devil's advocate' manner. I love my pork sausages, hamburgers and chicken nuggets!
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