Episode 99, Animal Rights (Part I - History)

Introduction It cannot have escaped your attention that there is a small contingent of our nation that poses a threat to our way of life. They want us to stop farming our most prized delicacy on the grounds of their ‘moral concerns’. We must not let them push us around. As you well know, it has always been an important part of our culture. Why should we assume that this small group of radicals have got it right and that our ancestors have all been wrong? Think of all the memories we’ve shared when eating the meat around the table with our families. It is a wonderful thing. Secondly, I have yet to come across anyone who doesn’t gain great satisfaction from the delicious taste of the meat. Whether it is in patties, ground mince or slices, it is enjoyed by billions every day. Imagine the backlash if we showed sympathy to the radicals! Think about all the businesses that rely on meat for their income. It would be political suicide. Finally, and most importantly, we must always remember the natural order of things. We are top of the food chain, and it is our right to exercise our dominion. Every test we have conducted on the creatures have proven them to be inferior, be it intelligence, strength, or a capacity to live what we’d all say is a fulfilling life. I know that you must feel the same; all I ask is for permission to deal with the radicals. Eating human meat should never be up for debate. Contents Part I. History Part II. Fellow Creatures Part III. Mere Instruments Part IV. Further Analysis and Discussion Links Carl Cohen, ‘Why Animals Have No Rights’. David DeGrazia, Animal Rights: A Very Short Introduction. Jonathan Safran Foer, Eating Animals. Lori Gruen, Entangled Empathy: An Alternative Ethic for Our Relationships with Animals. Christine M. Korsgaard, Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals. Philip Lymbery, Farmageddon in Pictures: The True Cost of Cheap Meat. Mary Midgley, Animals and Why They Matter. Matthieu Ricard, A Plea for the Animals: The Moral, Philosophical, and Evolutionary Imperative to Treat All Beings with Compassion. Peter Singer, Animal Liberation.