Veganism and the Hierarchical Value of Animal Life
In the discourse surrounding veganism, questions often arise regarding how vegans perceive and value different animal lives. Critics sometimes point out perceived inconsistencies in the actions and beliefs of vegans, especially when it comes to the treatment of small animals versus larger, more beloved animals. This article aims to examine these criticisms and provide a nuanced understanding of the ethical perspectives rooted in veganism.
Veganism vs. Ethical Consistency
Veganism, as a lifestyle, is rooted in minimizing the total amount of suffering in the world. For many vegans, this involves a strict adherence to a plant-based diet but also extends to other practices such as avoiding products tested on animals, advocating for animal rights, and participating in animal welfare activities. However, within the Vegan community, there can be differing views on the value placed on different animal lives.
Do Vegans Consider All Animals to Be the Same?
There are certain criticisms that people often level against vegans, suggesting that they do not value all animals equally. For example, some vegans may focus on saving large, cute animals such as puppies and big-eyed kittens while disregarding the welfare of smaller animals like field mice and ground-nesting birds.
However, it is important to recognize that not all vegans fall into this category. The idea that vegans should treat all animals identically is overly simplistic and does not align with the complexity of ethical and philosophical positions. Many vegans recognize that different animals have varying degrees of sentience and awareness.
A Marxist perspective on veganism might argue that all beings deserve equal consideration, but this is often seen as too idealistic in practice. More common is the utilitarian approach, which focuses on minimizing overall suffering. This means that vegans might prioritize saving a cute animal if doing so means averting a greater harm to the larger group of animals.
Perception and Empathy
There's also a subjective element involved in how one perceives and empathizes with different animals. The example of Steve Irwin, a well-known animal activist, is relevant here. He loved animals but recognized that eating plants can lead to animal deaths, which is a logical consideration in understanding vegan perspectives.
Many vegans and non-vegans alike tend to have a higher value for animals that are closely associated with human life and culture. For instance, dogs and cats are often associated with family and affection, leading to a higher perceived value. Similarly, vegans may prioritize the lives of cows, pigs, and chickens since they are often closer to humans both in terms of domestication and companionship.
It's important to note that this does not make vegans hypocritical or inconsistent. Instead, it is a reflection of the natural human tendency to prioritize those who are closer to us. This is evident in how people treat others in their lives versus those they encounter less frequently.
Human Nature and Hierarchy
Human beings generally value the lives of those who are closest to them and those who are most like them. This is a deeply ingrained aspect of human nature. This can be seen in how people prioritize their own families and friends, then extend that to people in local communities and broader social circles.
The same applies to vegans. They often value the lives of animals they have either encountered personally or know through observation, and these tend to include domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, and farm animals like cows and pigs. Smaller, less familiar animals are often seen as less significant or less worthy of direct intervention.
This does not make vegans unreasonable or ethically inconsistent. It simply reflects the hierarchical nature of human values and the practical considerations of life. Using the example of a speeding bus, humans generally prioritize saving their loved ones over strangers, and the same principle can apply to vegans and their values regarding animal lives.
In conclusion, the differences in how vegans and non-vegans value different animal lives reflect broader human values and practical considerations. Understanding and respecting these differences can lead to more productive discussions about ethical living and the treatment of animals.