Questions tagged [philosophy]
14 questions
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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2 answers
Do bivalves such as oysters feel pain or fear?
In moral arguments for veganism, the pain, stress, and fear experienced by animals is often given as an argument. I have read some arguments that vegetarians should be OK with eating oysters and mussels.
What evidence exists (either way) that…

gerrit
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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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Why is egg commonly allowed in vegetarian food?
Very often when talking about vegetarian food, in restaurants or on labels for food, eggs are considered as suitable for vegetarians. There are some labels "lacto-vegetarian" but not so common (at least everywhere I went so far).
I don't understand…

Den
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What are the main arguments against non-human animals holding intrinsic value?
The belief that animals hold intrinsic value is an important basis for animal rights.
Wikipedia lists the main positions used as a basis for the intrinsic value of animals as:
behaviouristic, as a morally neutral value that the animal's own (hence…

nloewen
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7
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3 answers
Why is keeping backyard hens inconsistent with veganism?
If somebody keeps egg-laying hens in their backyard and makes sure they are loved and well cared-for, what's wrong with taking and eating their eggs from the perspective of veganism? If a person who identified as vegan was considering getting…

Nic
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3 answers
Any major philosophy or ideology that promotes veganism?
In a similar question it was asked which major religions promote or require a vegetarian diet?
Here I'm asking for something quite different: not a religion but a philosophy or ideology. I'm thinking about perhaps some form of anarchism or deep…

Attilio
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In the Vegan Society's definition, what does practicable mean?
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is
possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty
to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
The Vegan Society seems to leave this up to a bit of…

adamaero
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5
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1 answer
Is smoking consistent with vegan principles?
Can you be a vegan and smoke cigarettes?
I ask the question because I saw many people using clothes with vegan logos and making vegan campaign smoking cigarettes. I've seen sites that say cigarettes are not vegan, however. Are cigarettes consistent…

the-breaker
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4
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Is it consistent with a vegan philosophy to buy and wear secondhand leather products?
The Vegan Society defines veganism as follows:
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is
possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty
to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
Purchasing…

C_Z_
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1 answer
What are the strongest arguments against vegetarianism?
The majority of people are non-vegetarian and I am wondering what the strongest arguments against vegetarianism are.

La-comadreja
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How to deal with narcissistic manipulation from anti vegans?
It is common practice from narcissistic individuals to accuse vegans of being part of a brain washed society or religion. This means one has two options:
Defend veganism and by doing so proving in the mind of the accuser that vegans are brainwashed…

Rainbow
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3
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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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Would a vegetarian or vegan eat an animal killed by accident?
For example, assuming a vegan has no particular religion preventing them from eating pigs: if a pig dies because of an external event or accident, would cooking and eating the pig be consistent with vegan practice?
To clarify, no one has killed the…

CoffeDeveloper
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