[377] in Vegetarian_Support_Group
Plants vs. Animals
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ed Piekos)
Tue Feb 21 09:17:28 1995
To: vsg@MIT.EDU
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 09:16:38 EST
From: Ed Piekos <espiekos@MIT.EDU>
Lewis wrote:
>The question about the difference between plants and animals is a
>good one. At first it seems obvious - plants have no nervous system
>and cannot perceive. Certainly they react to stimuli - but so do
>photocells and crystals and bacteria. It's all a question of where
>you draw the line.
The way I see it (and note that I didn't start on the path of vegetarianism
because of ethics, but vice versa) is that if you pick up even a primitive
animal, such as a shrimp, and stick a fork into it, it will show distress that
you can percieve. Killing it and eating it is therefore an act of violence.
I have yet to encounter a plant that offered any opinion as to whether or not
it cared to be chopped up and eaten (that I could detect at least). Also,
after you cut a plant in half you can usually change your mind and stick it
back in the ground and it will live. I can't say the same about most animals;
suggesting, perhaps, a fundamental difference between these two life forms.
peacfully nourished,
<<ESP>>
