NotConvinced

Ok, hypothetically, what if 300 years from now we discover that plants have atleast a minimal "equivalent" to thought. Would you then change your position and favor Not harvesting and eating living plants?

Because essentially "they do not think" as far as we know...

If this was the case, could we maintain an effective diet to function properly without meat, fish, animal products like milk and eggs, AND plants...? At some point we'd have to say "hey, we'll only eat a limited amount of those foods that keep us well nourished in a way that we can't manufacture independently." Sure that would be the "responsible" thing to do under those circumstances (in my opinion), but ultimately hard to self regulate atleast under Man's current attitude toward the world.

Vinterland

First, I'm certain that plants do not think or truly feel 'pain'. They do not have nerve endings and their reaction to something detrimental is a hormonal discharge.
I will entertain the notion and say that that if plants are proven to have some kind of thinking process (HIGHLY UNLIKELY), and it is significant to me, yes I will not eat living plants. In 300 years it's also likely that hunks of meat will be grown in laboratories and sold to people like some vegetarians who don't mind eating cloned meat.

Also, I think there is nothing wrong with eating an animal that has lived its' age and died of natural causes. This is known as 'free-range' farming, and plenty of farming companies put this label on their products to get more customers, but nevermind the fact that most operate as non-free ranging farms. There are a few, but I have not found any locally so I do not eat meat right now. If I did find one that claimed to be so I would have to verify it myself.
Hey man, 300 years in the future, ofcourse! 300 years ago we'll get all our nutrition from a single pill in the morning! I doubt that today humans can live without veggies and meat, but unless scientific progress stops, it will happen within that time, IMO.

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And on we walked. Suddenly we heard a voice crying, "This is the sea. This is the deep sea. This is the vast and mighty sea." And when we reached the voice it was a man whose back was turned to the sea, and at his ear he held a shell, listening to its murmur.
And my soul said, "Let us pass on. He is the realist, who turns his back on the whole he cannot grasp, and busies himself with a fragment."
—Gibran Khalil Gibran, “The Greater Sea.”

NotConvinced

OK, granted that....we're badass and will have an awesome do-everything pill by that time...........................but for hypothetics, say we didn't, or better yet, say we discovered the "plants really do think and feel pain" thing in like 5 years. My main point would be...."yeah not eating this or that for philosophical reasons is nice but there's a malnutrition line you might have to cross that would be too detrimental for your health."



What if we discover in 15 years that current vegans have an increased risk to get cancer by 80% because of their chosen diets regardless of "suppliments."




Or....What if we were able to breed livestock that had no ability to feel pain as far as we knew it. If they were brought into this world by our hand alone, and died for a purpose while feeling no pain, would that alter your view?

Geshtinnanna

I have a problem with people making the act of eating into a moral one. For those who think its immoral to eat meat I would suggest you go protest the lion, tiger and the eagle. If you don't want to eat meat then don't. But don't make it out to be you are doing something great for the earth. The earth does not care. Whatever reason works for you is fine by me.

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romansh

So V,
In the continuum of intelligence and feeling, you will draw a line and say, I will eat that but not this?

That's nice.

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There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. ........... Douglas Adams

Dunno

So I'm lost
Big suppprise there huh?
You don't like the fact that he draws a line as to what he will and will not eat?

So I would eat a Rib Eye Steak before I eat a Leg of human infact I will draw a line and say I won't eat a leg of human. but by your above statement you would eat human flesh for dinner or even if you are trapped ontop ol Smokey like them footballers

romansh

I think it is OK to draw a line (we do it all the time, metaphorically, in our daily lives) Just so long as we recognize the reasons and more importantly the influences behind them.

I can answer this on two levels: rational and emotional.

Rationally .... it is not a problem with the proviso of communicable parasites and diseases

Emotionally .....I'm in the same boat as everyone else.... it would very hard to eat human flesh....... but don't get castawayed with me in that boat!!!...

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There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened. ........... Douglas Adams

Dunno

I want you to know

That if we get castawayed together that you can Eat ME

Bjarki Dalsgarð

I'll eat anything which comes on the table, I've been raised to not be picky with food, and that is how I am, though the one particular other in me life is a vegan so I know how it is.

My fav food at the moment is whale steak or to be more precise steak from a Atlantic White-sided Dolphin. (wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grindadr%C3%A1p )

I fail to see how you can possible survive on green stuff alone, though I know it is possible.

We are humans, we are omnivores for some reason eh?

And don't go all greenpeace upon me here, we all have our opinions and they all count equal, when based upon reason.

It is nature to eat the stuff we kill, so we eat it end of story, or am I wrong?

Edit: If for some reason someone I would en up on a island alone or in the mountains in a plane crash or whatever, I wouldn't hesitate to descend to canibalism, yeah I know I'm far out.
Probs insane, but that is what has stopped me from doing all the attrocities which are swimming around in my head. As sane people are the ones who are worst.

just a quick edit, which I'll stop before I piss someone else off:P

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xxkayxx

Well I'm a vegetarina, and have been for over a year , Although when people ask why i am, ill usually tell them its because i love animals, im really just lying to myself. I could care less about them to be honest, besides , when my mom buys the meat or whatever, the animal is already dead, so its kinda pointless to just waste it. Instead, my reason for being a vegetarian is really just a form of self control for me, since what i eat seems to be one of the few things i have absolute control over. Too bad candy isnt as easy to give up...

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If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing