Questions tagged [biology]
5 questions
42
votes
12 answers
What can be said when people argue that "plants suffer too"?
Inspired by this question, that is a kind of a guide to "diplomatic relations" with non-veg*s, I'd like to ask what could be good answers to the oft-repeated assertion that "plants suffer too".
The dialogue goes roughly like:
A: "ok, so you're…
Attilio
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20
votes
6 answers
Plants show intelligent behaviour, is this sufficient for moral consideration?
Recent research has revealed that plants are able to communicate, learn, and respond to harm. It has been argued that these behaviours constitute basic intelligence. Robert A. Freitas Jr. has described plants as having hormonal sentience.
Are these…
nloewen
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12
votes
3 answers
Is the human body naturally made for a vegetarian diet?
I have heard that the human body is naturally made for a vegetarian diet. Does the shape of our teeth, length of our intestines indicate a natural make towards a vegetarian diet? Are there any other human traits suggesting the same or otherwise?
Amit Saxena
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11
votes
1 answer
Can birds suffer?
Birds have a reputation of having rather simple brains. Sure, they can react to stimuli to avoid danger and survive, e.g. if I kick a chicken it will probably try to avoid me, but is this just automatic instinct or is there something deeper? Does…
Alex Hall
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3
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1 answer
Does this quote by plant biologist Olivier Van Aken imply that plants can feel pain?
Olivier Van Aken, a plant biologist at the University of Western Australia, is often quoted (like here) as saying:
While plants don’t appear to complain when we pinch a flower, step on
them, or just brush by them while going for a walk, they are…
Daud
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