Is it more ethical to eat pigs or dogs?

[psychoticanimallover]

A pig’s cognitive abilities are equivalent to, or slightly greater than, a three-year-old child, whereas dogs are closer to a human child of two and a half.

If intellect is irrelevant in regard to the morality of slaughtering an animal for food, then what is more relevant?

It’s more ethical to eat pig.

It’s more ethical to eat dog.

It isn’t ethical to consume either.

Don’t care. I’d eat a human if it tasted good.

[neverendingloops]

Ethically or morally I’m not really sure it’s possible to justify eating any animal.

The only two possibly intellectually sound positions must be either every animal is ok to eat or no animal is ok to eat. But we all do lots of internal convincing every day and conclude that it’s fine to do x-thing that if we really thought about we wouldn’t do.

”I do something because I like it” is as good a reason for doing anything, however that doesn’t make it a moral or even an ultimately justifiable thing to do.

I can see why we only eat some animals based on our particular cultures and how we’ve been nurtured. It’s not hard to reason why we like to avoid eating the animals we feel closer to, such as dogs and cats, but when we analyse that it’s really quite a ridiculous position. Pigs and sheep and even cows can have as much affection towards humans as a dog.

The future is in a massively reduced level of meat consumption. It might take a while to get there but it will happen. I think eventually meat consumption might even be looked at in the same way smoking is looked at now.

🐷🐶❤️

[purplepoppy]

If you visit any decent pig farm there's usually a few toys to keep them happy. As for being as smart as three year-olds I've seen them out think a few grown men. The problem is pigs grow fast are cheap to feed and taste good, neither do they need long walks. Dog meat smells awful and I wouldn't want to try it plus there's more to animal welfare than just intellect.

[psychoticanimallover]

With all due respect, I’m not asking about practicality or taste. I’m asking if it’s ethical.

[purplepoppy]

My point is intellect isn't a base to determine the ethics of eating animals. Birds are more intelligent than most animals but it's still ok to eat them

[psychoticanimallover]

But intellect is a very important factor in most animal welfare concerns and lawsuits. We’re not allowed to test on apes in the majority of the developed world and the key to that decision has always been cognitive function. Why does it differ here?

[purplepoppy]

The main reasons it's hard to get a primate licence is the risk of zoonotic diseases and it's hard to provide them with enough stimulus because of their intelligence. But most importantly licences are granted for single experiments only and you have to prove you can't use a lower life form.

[Kaneki05]

If your saying we have to go by intellect then of course dogs.
If your going by what people choose to be socially accepts as a main pet then pigs.
I would eat both. Animals do more harm than plants. And if i have to eat plants the lesser of the evil might as well eat higher of the evil.
Pigs are fine with eating humans, so are dogs and we should be fine about eating them, but social way's humans have grown they get grossed out by things we would do all the time if we were in Live or die situation.
Never heard of a plant eat a person... But there better to eat? i don't think so.

[hellionthesagereborn]

Socialization is what determines whether or not its ethical. Dogs have been bred to be companions, pigs have not (dogs have more facial muscles in order to convey emotions that we can read as well as having greater empathy then other animals in order to communicate and understand us better). Dogs have been essentially adopted in to our society and pigs have not.

Ultimately though, if you want to see what is acceptable or not, starve then see what your willing to do to survive. This is why starving people will even eat dogs if necessary (and people in some cases).

[TOTEMPLASTER]

Dogs are Man's best friend and have been so for 4 millennia.
Pigs are the source of the bacon sandwich, which is Mankind's favourite snack - even Muslims love them.
CONCLUSION (Drum roll please): Ethics and taste buds determine... pet doggos and eat pig meat.

[Levin]

I'd ask my work colleagues questions like this, it made them feel uncomfortable.

Another good one is these people say they love animals. Try ask them do you often eat the things you love? 😆

[psychoticanimallover]

I would be too scared to ever ask anything like this irl. Meat eaters are terrifying.

[ShortCircuit]

The only animal that it's unethical to eat is humans. Animals can have rights when they ask for them.

[psychoticanimallover]

Babies can’t ask for rights?

[ShortCircuit]

@psychoticanimallover I was just being facetious. I wasn't seriously proposing an ethical standard to determine rights. I think the best standard we've been able to produce so far is based on intelligence, and yes, pigs are more intelligent than babies, but babies will develop human intelligence whereas pigs never will, so it's a stupid argument.

[psychoticanimallover]

What about people who are in a permanent vegetative state?

[ShortCircuit]

@psychoticanimallover Maybe not everyone would accept this argument, but some would argue that such people have souls with human sentience and are just trapped in bodies that can't communicate. But that's kinda besides the point because their rights are effectively held in escrow by a caregiver, similar to a parent-child relationship, anyway.

[Jean-Marie_Céline]

I don't eat meat at all because I don't like it, but I'd eat people instead.
Pigs and dogs are way better as people.

[Minahh]

Who said that eating pigs is more ethical than dogs? We humans did. It's equally bad. I'm definitely planning to go vegetarian. I'm pesco-pollo vegetarian now. Meaning I eat fish and chicken from time to time.

[Daniela1982]

Dogs are eaten in many countries. We used to say when the Vietnamese first came to California and they lived anywhere in your neighborhood, to keep your dogs inside at night as they may be ripe for picking.

[darkcloud1945]

Proven 40 years ago plants have feeling also. But look for A movie named SOYLENT GREEN with Charlie Heston and see what might just be coming down the road in the future.

[Bee-Hatch]

Have you tried dog bacon? I'll stick to pig

[psychoticanimallover]

Have you?

[Bee-Hatch]

You asked in essence if brain power is irrelevant to the decision to eat meat then what is relevant. And to put it simply flavour is what's relevant. I eat meat because I like it. It's not some moral question to me. We are designed as omnivores, and omnivorous diets keep us healthy. Vegans who exclude all animal product need to ensure their B12 levels are kept up, or given time they suffer irreparable nerve damage.

[psychoticanimallover]

Actually even meat-eaters need some supplements, for example Vit D and iron for a huge percentage. And I asked about ethics... taste doesn’t come into this particular discussion, but thanks for your input.

Just out of interest, do you do most things just because you like it and not make it some big “moral question”? What if men said that about rape?

[Bee-Hatch]

The second part of your description asks if moral reasoning isn't a part of it - what is?

So I offered an answer.

I didn't talk about meat eaters, I talked about omnivorous diets. I can get vitamin D from a bowl of cereal or a walk in the sunlight. Iron comes from red meat so your point is a bit moot.

As for the rapey stuff you're trying to divert this to. The question was about foods and diet and the ethics attached. So let's keep on topic. If you want a discussion on the ethics of rape, ask another question.

[888theGreat]

Both are smart animals, but pigs are better source of meat. Dogs and Cats , and horses should not be eaten.

[ChefPapiChulo]

Pig taste really good. And I don’t even have a defense as to why I eat pig.

[Hangry22]

None. I have never eaten pig or dog

[WesBrewer]

I would never eat my doggo even if I was starving.

[loveslongnails]

Pigs taste better.

[psychoticanimallover]

Have you tasted dog?

[loveslongnails]

Not knowingly, but there have been some missing from the neighborhood lately, and it coincides with specials at the Asian restaurants.

[Anonymous]

A BLT would taste like crap if it was a DLT.

[msc545]

It isn't ethical to eat either one

[Anonymous]

Ewh... this is a stupid question

[psychoticanimallover]

Is it stupid, or does it just make you feel uncomfortable?

[Opinion Owner]

Uncomfortable. Eating dogs is an uncommon thing where I live so I find it strange

[psychoticanimallover]

I understand. I’m just wondering if, culture aside, you can justify why you think it’s acceptable to eat a pig but not a dog.

[Opinion Owner]

Eating ham or bacon you buy from a shop is fine.

[psychoticanimallover]

Why?

[Jaamman]

Pigs make bacon.
Just saying.

[Shihab-91]

Dragons