Quote:
Originally posted by juju
It seems to me that we value the life of other humans so that we'll get the same consideration in return if we're ever in a time of need. Given that, what possible benefit would I get from valuing the life of a mosquito or cow? I don't expect either of them is likely to rescue me from a burning building.
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So you only value something if it gives you something in return? Interesting. I suppose that is the whole concept of value though, isn't it? If you don't get anything out of it, it's worthless? I get nothing other than an armfull of poison from mosquitos, yet I acknowledge their right to exist. Furthermore, I must have assigned some value to it, for I got out of my way to avoid smashing them or what not. (IE: The spider example, I catch and release rather than just squash them.)
I get nothing from the spiders, other than the occasional bite while I sleep, or a nifty web to look at, and yet, I let them go.
I often wonder if people had to kill their own food if they'd all be so eager to wolf down a burger. I doubt it. Oh sure, there are some who it wouldn't phase. Some probably who would even enjoy it. However, I bet a number of them would change their eating habbits.
I don't eat animals because there is no need, and because I have attributed value to their existance. It is not my place to tell them they don't have the right to live or to be used for my advantage.
Quzah.