Moral Vegetarianism from a Very Broad Basis

Author: DeGrazia, David

Source: Journal of Moral Philosophy, Volume 6, Number 2, 2009 , pp. 143-165(23)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

This paper defends a qualified version of moral vegetarianism. It defends a weak thesis and, more tentatively, a strong thesis, both from a very broad basis that assumes neither that animals have rights nor that they are entitled to equal consideration. The essay's only assumption about moral status, an assumption defended in the analysis of the wrongness of cruelty to animals, is that sentient animals have at least some moral status. One need not be a strong champion of animal protection, then, to embrace moral vegetarianism. One need only assume some reasonable view of animals' moral status.

Keywords: ANIMALS; FACTORY FARMS; FAMILY FARMS; MEAT-EATING; MORAL STATUS; UNNECESSARY HARM; VEGETARIANISM

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/174552409X402313

Publication date: 2009-03-01