LGP Philosophy Discussion Thread

[Kraftster]

It's hypocritical to save a cat from a burning building, but eat a burger for lunch? What am I reading right now? lol

Well, IMO it kinda is given your original justification for saving the cat.

You are assuming c2i has to value all animal life the same. He, and everyone else, do not have to do that.

Someone can value a certain animal as a domesticated companion. Other animals can be valued as domesticated livestock used for food. Both are valued but both are not valued equally.

You're right, which is the scary part, i.e., that we can't expect people to behave in a logically consistent way.

[count2infinity]

I can see this going down some road of logic that I'd rather not go down. I made a snap decision reading the question, and one that I think most people would make when posed with the question. I guess I really should have seen it coming in the philosophy thread. I value a cat's life over a piece of artwork, and I eat burgers. If that makes me a hypocrite, I'll smile as I'm eating my double bacon cheese burger and bid you a good day.

[redwill]

WHAT'S NEXT? WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?!?!

Oh, I'd definitely save the Rembrandt over a human child. Haha. (That's a joke.)

[PensFanInDC]

redwill, you believe in evolution correct? I know nothing about your thoughts on it so I'd like to ask if you think we developed incisors because we were eating meat out of necessity? Incisors have little value in an all veggie diet.

Well, evolutionary vestiges probably shouldn't dictate morality.

So morality is outside the spectrum of physical evolution. I would think that if millions of years of evolution granted me with the perfect tools for tearing flesh with the sole purpose of eating it then it would probably be in my best interest to do so considering the length of time it took to get this way.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

:face:

You might want to try some fast pitch instead of these lobs you're tossing at him :lol:

What? It's true.

Either a person saves every single animal they possibly can Including bacteria, human cells, whatever or they pick and choose like most humans because human nature is flawed.

I will never blame anyone for picking and choosing because, let's be honest, EVERYONE picks and chooses.

I'm not going to pretend like I'm the model of perfect human morality because I'm not. My choices are a mix of my own human experiences and ignorance.

[shmenguin]

redwill, you believe in evolution correct? I know nothing about your thoughts on it so I'd like to ask if you think we developed incisors because we were eating meat out of necessity? Incisors have little value in an all veggie diet.

Well, evolutionary vestiges probably shouldn't dictate morality.

your body wants meat. it doesn't really care about evolution.

[meow]

i might be reading these posts too quickly, but i think we're supposed to eat cats now

The hell we are.

[PensFanInDC]

i might be reading these posts too quickly, but i think we're supposed to eat cats now

The hell we are.

Do you remember when we had to eat dog food. When that ran out we ate the dog. I HAD TO KILL THE DOG MAN!

(If you haven't seen Battery please do so...)

[Gaucho]

redwill, you believe in evolution correct? I know nothing about your thoughts on it so I'd like to ask if you think we developed incisors because we were eating meat out of necessity? Incisors have little value in an all veggie diet.

Well, evolutionary vestiges probably shouldn't dictate morality.

your body wants meat. it doesn't really care about evolution.

Not to rehash this squabble, but I'd say that, on the contrary, your body wants nothing in particular. That's what being an omnivore is about and that's why a vegetarian diet is a viable option.

[meow]

Maybe the cat would be an art fan and follow you out of the building as you carried the painting.

[columbia]

In contrast, your cat definitely wants/needs meat.

[shmenguin]

plants are made of the same particles as humans. we should eat humans, then? or instead of eating apples, we should eat the tree trunks that grow them. it would be hypocritical not to.

[PensFanInDC]

redwill, you believe in evolution correct? I know nothing about your thoughts on it so I'd like to ask if you think we developed incisors because we were eating meat out of necessity? Incisors have little value in an all veggie diet.

Well, evolutionary vestiges probably shouldn't dictate morality.

your body wants meat. it doesn't really care about evolution.

Not to rehash this squabble, but I'd say that, on the contrary, your body wants nothing in particular. That's what being an omnivore is about and that's why a vegetarian diet is a viable option.

Well it certainly wants protein and that can be obtained by a veggie diet. It's more difficult to eat the amount of protein needed but in this day and age of grocery stores it's much easier than, say, even 100 years ago. Beans and soy contain enough protein for a human diet that cutting out all meat is a totally viable option.

[redwill]

Maybe the cat would be an art fan and follow you out of the building as you carried the painting.

That brings up the further point that only humans seem to make art. Valuing the Rembrandt is part of what it is to be human. Or something like that.

A side point is the question of whether or not artificial intelligences can/will be able to make original art. Some debate about that in philosophical circles over the years.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Humans are hypocritical by default. If you claim you aren't you're either lying or ignorant of that fact.

[shmenguin]

redwill, you believe in evolution correct? I know nothing about your thoughts on it so I'd like to ask if you think we developed incisors because we were eating meat out of necessity? Incisors have little value in an all veggie diet.

Well, evolutionary vestiges probably shouldn't dictate morality.

your body wants meat. it doesn't really care about evolution.

Not to rehash this squabble, but I'd say that, on the contrary, your body wants nothing in particular. That's what being an omnivore is about and that's why a vegetarian diet is a viable option.

i disagree, but we don't have to get into it

[shmenguin]

redwill, you believe in evolution correct? I know nothing about your thoughts on it so I'd like to ask if you think we developed incisors because we were eating meat out of necessity? Incisors have little value in an all veggie diet.

Well, evolutionary vestiges probably shouldn't dictate morality.

your body wants meat. it doesn't really care about evolution.

Not to rehash this squabble, but I'd say that, on the contrary, your body wants nothing in particular. That's what being an omnivore is about and that's why a vegetarian diet is a viable option.

Well it certainly wants protein and that can be obtained by a veggie diet. It's more difficult to eat the amount of protein needed but in this day and age of grocery stores it's much easier than, say, even 100 years ago. Beans and soy contain enough protein for a human diet that cutting out all meat is a totally viable option.

if you're substituting meat with soy, a vegetarian diet is 100% not a viable option.

[PensFanInDC]

I work for an animal welfare organization so I deal with a lot of vegans and veggies. Oddly enough, of the lot, only 2 actually work for the company. The rest are sponsors or contributors.

[meow]

Maybe the cat would be an art fan and follow you out of the building as you carried the painting.

That brings up the further point that only humans seem to make art. Valuing the Rembrandt is part of what it is to be human. Or something like that.

A side point is the question of whether or not artificial intelligences can/will be able to make original art. Some debate about that in philosophical circles over the years.

There are artists that throw a can of paint on a canvas and call it art. AI would be able to do that...so I guess they could create original art.

[PensFanInDC]

if you're substituting meat with soy, a vegetarian diet is 100% not a viable option.

That's why I included beans, jack.

[PensFanInDC]

Maybe the cat would be an art fan and follow you out of the building as you carried the painting.

That brings up the further point that only humans seem to make art. Valuing the Rembrandt is part of what it is to be human. Or something like that.

A side point is the question of whether or not artificial intelligences can/will be able to make original art. Some debate about that in philosophical circles over the years.

What is the definition of 'original art'? Is it a picture of some sort (medium notwithstanding) that has never been created before? Would Starry Night minus a few brush strokes be considered original?

[redwill]

So morality is outside the spectrum of physical evolution. I would think that if millions of years of evolution granted me with the perfect tools for tearing flesh with the sole purpose of eating it then it would probably be in my best interest to do so considering the length of time it took to get this way.

I think you're assuming there is some purpose to evolution. There certainly is not. It's simple adaptation to environment, nothing more. Adapt or die.

[Gaucho]

New flash: eggs contain protein.

[shmenguin]

if you're substituting meat with soy, a vegetarian diet is 100% not a viable option.

That's why I included beans, jack.

the point stands with beans, as well. but not to the same extent.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

New flash: eggs contain protein.

Doesn't it count as eating an animal though?