I agree with the idea that
the animal rights movement can be viewed, in a sense, as an extension of human
rights movements. The underlying motive
is the capacity for empathy and compassion, and the recognition that all people
(and arguably many animals) should be treated as ends in themselves. Yet, considering the challenges still facing
campaigns for universal human rights,
I am somewhat pessimistic about the animal rights movement, particularly
vegetarianism.
Although it is conceivable that greater exposure could
bring an end to certain practices that show a blatant disregard for animal
welfare, such as factory farming and laboratory testing, I am not so convinced
that vegetarianism will ever really catch on.
Due to the questions regarding levels of consciousness and so on, the
debates surrounding animal rights are not as clear as human rights. And one could argue that human attitudes
toward animals are even more deeply seeded than the prejudices that lead to
human rights abuses. There are plenty of
people that do not want to see animals suffer “unnecessarily,” but still have
no problem with eating meat. I suppose
my point is that widespread vegetarianism might be asking too much. I can use myself as exhibit A: I find factory farming and animal testing
horrifically disturbing, I generally consider myself an animal lover, I’m
taking this class, and yet I still
somehow have a hard time making the switch to vegetarianism.
Interestingly, I think vegetarianism is actually decently likely to have some success; there are many people who care more, I think, for nonhuman animals, than they do for humans, and there are many people who care about neither. It is also true that there are many people who care more for humans, and many who care equally for both groups.
ReplyDeleteThe number of meat substitutes available is increasing; in fact, in the US vegetarian food sales have doubles since 1999. Italy and Germany have around a 10% vegetarian and/or vegan population.
I think the dilemma is partially related at least to the attitude towards nonhuman animals, but I also think that even further below that is our insecurities, and wanting to treat things poorly; it just so happens that it is more socially acceptable to treat non-humans in that way.
Regarding your own issues with vegetarianism, perhaps there is some sort of rational or motivation you have for not being a vegetarian? Many people I know have accepted the arguments for vegetarianism, but were deterred by other thoughts until they thought long and hard about vegetarianism, and the possibility of becoming vegetarians.