Blog 3-Superiority

In the section Meat or Mercy? of The Green Halo, Kohak, along with another author by the name of Peter Singer, present the questions of whether humans really are superior beings? and if so, does that give us the right to mistreat anything inferior to us? They discuss how the production of meat and animal experimentation reflects our attitudes towards other animals other than humans. That the mistreatment of the animals and their harsh quality of living is moral and normal because we are referring to them as "only animals."

However, Kohak and Singer oppose and challenge these views by arguing that would we still consider these actions moral if the same were done to humans? To our children? How would you feel if you witnessed a fellow human slaughtered before you? They argue that animals have feelings, they can feel pain, love, happiness, and fear. It is for these reasons that such treatments of animals should stop. That if humans were superior to them, that doesn't give us the right to mistreat those who are inferior to use. Instead, we should be trying to coexist with them.

Though I am not a vegetarian, I understand now why some individuals are. It is hard to disagree with the arguments that Kohak and Singer have put forth in this section. I believe that even though some animals are used as sources of meat or for experimentation, they should live a comfortable lifestyle for as long as they are allowed to instead of being subjected to harsh living conditions and should be euthanized in a humane, painless as possible manner. As a biology major, I have already performed experiments on animals and I probably will continue to throughout my career. But I am confident that the animals are treated with the most respect possible and are not subjected to harsh conditions.

Kohak and Singer also caused me to think about how would we like it if there were beings that are more superior than us? Would we accept the same treatments that animals are subjected to?