[275] in Vegetarian_Support_Group
Animal's Rights
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Mitesh Praful Lakhani)
Mon Nov 28 02:41:20 1994
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 02:32:52 -0500
To: vsg@MIT.EDU
From: lakhani@wharton.upenn.edu (Mitesh Praful Lakhani)
I am often asked the question of Animal's rights, and the basis or
origin of them. As I am a firm believer in 'Natural Law' (in it's original
form) and have learned and believe that rights should be given with
responsibility, I am often under a line of fire, when I say I am a
Vegetarian. Intrinsic in the idea the rights should be given with
responsibility is the idea that responsibility can only come with the
ability to reason (to a certain extent).
I usually respond with the idea that I don't believe in "Animal's
Rights" per se, but I believe that :
1) Violence is evil. (although occasionally necessary)
2) Killing animals is obviously a form of violence.
3) Killing animals is not necessary for sustenance.
In fact, this discussion often leads to the 'helpless' situation of
being stuck in a jungle where I can either eat an animal or die.. and my
decision is to eat an animal. (yech!!) (if I can actually stomach it) at
that point...
I have also heard the arguement that mentally disabled people have
'rights' and killing them is murder even though they don't have the ability
to exercise their responsibility behind it.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as far as these beliefs were
concerned, and possibly any ways to counter them.
Thanks,
Mitesh
