VeganGains vs Jordan Peterson on the question of animal rights
From VeganGains who asked for his video to be shared:
VeganGains makes some valuable points in his video about how slavery is allowed by social contract yet is morally repugnant. In fact slavery is authorized under the US Constitution officially as punishment for a crime. VeganGains also makes a valid point that animal rights are an extension of human rights. My own thoughts and opinion is that while being vegetarian may have health benefits, and while being vegan is a form of protest, it might not actually have any effect on the food industry. I actually favor lab grown meat and GMO specifically because used right it can reduce unnecessary suffering without asking humans to sacrifice taste.
Jordan Peterson attacks the far left but in my opinion makes a mistake in attacking intellectuals like Peter Singer who are logical and consistent even if we might not always agree. Peter Singer being one of the top ethical philosophers simply took utilitarianism of his form to a reasonable conclusion. I think VeganGains would have an advantage in a debate with Jordan Peterson on one hand but on another it could be a debate he can lose if he's not prepared. There are valid moral arguments people can make for not being vegan, and while most empathic people would agree to reduce animal suffering, not everyone has the same values. I am of the opinion that there is no true moral realism so there is nothing more than subjective opinions (popular opinion) and enforced popular opinion when it comes to morals. Christians outnumber vegans even if Christianity is a religion and Christians have the ability to enforce their opinions through law.
I totally agree with you! Animals should not suffer because of humans. And it is not only the food industry that causes problems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies also do a lot of harm...
But are not humans also animals? It would be strange to claim that an animal life is more valuable than a human life, no? Should we intervene when a Pidgeon eats a worm? What about a Kalahari Bushman who hunts deer, should that also be prevented? Where does this principle of 'preventing suffering' begin and end. I think we should reduce suffering as much as possible, but surely to eradicate it entirely would be unwise?
VeganGains fails to understand Peterson's theology: that Christianity is a defacto accumulation of the 'fittest' moral principles throughout human history. One of these moral principles is predation, which even Vegans ascribe to in their personal lives (simply participating in a Capitalist economy involves some level predation and therefore suffering).
However, Christianity should be respected (if not swallowed) because it's the only moral system (in the western tradition) which at least mitigates unbridled predation via the innovation of Jesus' Crucifixion; what really dies on the cross is the excuse that acts of God are beyond human intervention...God (as Jesus) is dead, and now humans are alone and responsible for their own actions without making excuses for their behaviour by saying it is 'God's Will'. This innovation opens the door to the development of our empathic sensibilities, which Veganism is built on.
The argument for Veganism (and I am one) is nonetheless strong; as VeganGains mentions they are mostly health-related and Peterson is wrong to stereotype all Vegans/Vegos as religious zealots, however low neuronal health via lack of protein can and often does lead to depression and magical thinking - certainly a risk if veganism isn't done with careful attention to detail.
I just think if we want to promote Veganism then the bleeding heart empathic argument (ie animal suffering) won't work because it's hypocritical. We live in a world which is full of hierarchical structures: VeganGains' own success as a youtube star relies on a hierarchical structure in the form of likes and views.
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vegangain cherry pick data and sentences within that data.
He does at times show confirmation bias but he's not a scientist and does not have a degree in medicine.
It is time to change all this. I am fortunate enough to have friends that own farm so milk, eggs and sometimes meat comes from animals that live normal lives. Feeling really fortunate but on the other hand, there is too many of us so we need new solutions...