飲食道德觀
增進動物福祉協會 提供
當談論到「道德」，一般人都會認為應該在生活中的各層面實踐。但有趣的是，在「食」的上面，我們卻很少將「道德」考量在內。究竟「道德」在我們食物的選擇上扮演什麼樣的角色？此問題的重點就在於我們生產何種食物，以及如何生產我們所攝取的食物，這對我們環境、個人健康、社會以及此文章的焦點—數百萬隻被野蠻剝削之動物的生命，都有著深遠的影響。
藉由認知飲食中的道德觀，我們可以避免汙染空氣、土壤。例如大量如瀉湖般大小未經處理肥料（動物糞便）、化學肥料滲漏到或被施用於陸地上的土壤和河川，還有為了使動物在不正常、不自然的居住環境下仍能苟延殘喘的化學藥物。對於社會大眾，我們缺乏針對「營養真相」的知識教育，亦不認為有道德上的責任，也無道德上的認知來執行教育。因此，所謂的現代均衡飲食觀念反而成了有害影響。最後，我們鮮少反省使用動物製品飽足自己的行為是否缺乏道德考量 。
你可以回想起或者想像出在晚餐中討論政治、宗教、性別、種族或人權上的倫理與道德嗎？在吃雞翅和牛排的同時，交換辯論著彼此的想法，大多數都不會注意到正在吃的東西，可能跟上述議題都有關。但當你試著討論關於動物權或動物利用的道德觀，你的晚餐可能就變成爭論的主題。
一百五十年多前，許多國家都認為奴隸制度是正常的，但今日此觀念已不被社會所接納。約一百年前，童工仍是勞工的一種，沒有任何法律可以保護他們。有段時間，女人並不像男人一樣被視為等權的公民，此現象在某些國家依然存在，我們顯然不會去質疑其中的荒謬和不公。多年前，流浪漢並非社會議題，也沒有任何行動去協助他們，但如今社會正在重新評估其對於這些弱勢族群的道德責任。種族隔離和種族歧視的施行也並非太久以前的事。我們可以看到人們如何公然地虐待自己的同胞，在各種不同的情況下使其蒙羞，而施虐者通常為有權有勢的人。如果我們回頭去看人權的歷史，許多過去被人們所接受的社會規範，而今社會大眾卻對其產生質疑與不滿，或者仍在幫助那些掙扎著打破古老過時思想的人。
科技有不斷發展的需要，我們的道德觀也須相對跟進，或者更勝於科技的腳步。否則我們的文明雖發展成具備一定程度的科技能力，但卻只有一點點道德感來監督科技用途。若真如此，我們社會最終會自我墮落。許多人都熟悉托爾斯泰、蕭伯納、甘地、畢達哥斯拉、辛格、林肯、愛迪生和愛因斯坦等等，這些人對社會有極大貢獻，幫助社會在道德上和科技上都一同進步。這些來自不同研究圈、不同領域和不同社經地位的人，在道德觀和社會對於動物的對待上卻有著相同的理念。十五世紀的發明家、藝術家暨哲學家，達文西說：「我很早就發誓拒絕食用肉類，有一天人們會和我一樣，看著動物被屠宰就像看到人類被謀殺一般。」達文西與其他許多哲學家、科學家、發明家和對社會有貢獻的人一樣，皆了解為了社會的進步和人類的存亡，人道主義必須存在，並且到了一定程度，對待動物的觀念就必須要改變。身為所謂現代社會中的人民，我們有道德責任去確保所有社會成員的安康。要達到此目的，必須在道德上和倫理上進化，對任何種類的人或動物沒有抱持分別心。
現今社會為了飲食，每年有系統地殘害及野蠻地屠宰56,000,000,000隻動物，並將其視為常態，這數字還不包含數億的海洋生物。社會接受並且參與這些為了消遣、利潤或利益所做的舉動。
如果我們靜下來想一下，560億是世界人口的八倍，我們會發現這需要消耗極大量的食物和水資源。後果就是，我們反而讓十億人口在地球上挨餓，十億人口缺乏新鮮飲水，而味蕾的滿足或口袋裡的利益卻仍比考量上述人口的不幸來得重要。
我們應該自知人類也是動物的一種，其他被統稱為動物的物種，其實只是非人類的動物。我們卻持續且重複地用各種不公正又不道德方式，對待這些無辜的動物，如同我們過去和現在對待其他人類一樣。
歧視的定義是對於個人、種族、少數民族等等的不平等對待。因此，基於物種種類而賦予生物不同的價值和權利，則可被定義為物種歧視。由此看來，我們的行為與歧視沒有兩樣。由於我們是物種主義者（如種族主義者、性別主義者等等），我們以「強權就是公理」此扭曲的觀念，從古到今有計畫地謀殺、囚禁動物，如同我們對其他人種所做的屠殺和種族滅絕一樣。動物們因食物、娛樂或其他類似的病態理由，而被壓迫、被奴役。他們（動物）被嘲笑、羞辱，或身心受創而不得不屈服於人類。試想你我若身處與他們（動物）相同的處境，被迫進行非自然的行為，或者從小被隔離，生長在禁止體驗自然社會行為和個體需求的環境裡，我們難保不崩潰。所有有知覺的生物都努力生存、追求快樂、尋找庇護和食物，並且逃避疼痛、恐懼、受苦和死亡。科學證實許多動物都有深厚的社會和家庭關係。最終，他們（動物）其實和你我沒有兩樣。對於這些活生生的有情生命，我們卻定位為商品和資產，將他們（動物）加工並放置於生產線上，對待他們（動物）就如同其他沒有生命的商品。
用一分鐘想像一下，一條由機器形成的、又長又冷的走廊，這些動物被吊掛著，等待血腥痛苦的死亡。當尖叫聲和哭喊聲由那些走過走廊的動物傳來，你我在這些走廊的兩旁，帶著同情看著這些疼痛和受苦的動物，卻必須站在工作崗位上，控制並準備著其他等待被殘忍屠殺的動物。有些動物，頭部先被重重一擊，故意讓他們陷入昏迷，但其實大部分時間都是失敗的。然而，此步驟卻允許了後續的屠殺行為被列為是「人道屠宰」。運輸帶不斷運轉著，運送這些已無生命的屍體，但因屠宰的手續太慢太差，有些不幸的動物仍尚存一息，就直接被工廠拋擲進滾燙的熱水中，才漸漸邁向死亡。之後，再被肢解和除去內臟，以及其他工廠所需的最後手續。
我們不只完全忽略動物在等待或經歷這些體驗時的感受，我們也忽略了不得不在這些工廠工作的人。只要社會有需求存在，這些工廠就會有這種職位上的需求。這些從事屠宰工作的人，若有其他機會，應會選擇不需殘殺生命的職業。非因生存或必須所產生的疼痛、受苦和死亡，本來就值得懷疑，更何況如此殘忍的行為，目的只是為了人們要滿足口腹之慾，享受時尚、娛樂或利益。每天8到12小時都在殘殺，對於人的心理和生理健康必定有所影響。統計顯示這些人不只容易有職業傷害，並且與經歷過戰爭的人一樣，有類似創傷後壓力症候群（PTD）的症狀。許多人開始出現物質濫用、家庭暴力和其他症狀，以消化這些不人道的行為。我們必須要自問，這樣利用動物和動物製品，我們會創造和教育出怎麼樣的社會成員？
此類殘酷行為還包括生產與使用雞蛋及牛奶。雞蛋，其實是雞的月經，生產過程中，母雞需忍受極大痛苦與不適。首先，一般母雞都經過基因改造，然後，為了讓母雞能下更多蛋，養殖業者刻意使母雞們挨餓以改變她們的生理時鐘。雞蛋常常太大，導致母雞子宮無法承受而衰竭，還有更多顯為人知的內幕。至於被稱為液態肉類的牛奶，原是小牛的食物，卻被處理成人類的食物。如同其他幼兒需要母奶的營養，小牛們硬是被剝奪這樣的權利，還被強行帶離母親身邊，導致母牛與小牛精神上的悲痛，這樣的情形已被許多農夫與研究學者所觀察到。才剛面對精神悲痛沒多久，小牛就要面對無情的宰殺。許多人刻意選擇忽略這些事實，也有不少人則被商業上灌輸大眾美好假象的行銷策略所洗腦，被蒙在鼓裡而不自知。
除了無意識地滿足個人需求和忽略他人痛苦外，還以這些誤植的觀念養育著我們的下一代。如此，不必承擔改變行為的責任，也不必解釋我們的舉動。例如，對某些人來說，教導小孩爭一隻眼、閉一隻眼來面對事情比起教導他們檢視行為背後的事實，來得輕鬆省事。不像成年人，小孩子能夠清楚知道虐待動物的錯誤之處，而且不找藉口，確實地去考慮其他人或動物的感受。與其帶領小孩子對於他人擁有適當的道德觀、同理心、同情心、道德行為和利他行為，我們卻讓小孩子走上無知和漠不關心的路。行為模式是學習和複製而來的，「暴力滋生暴力」，因此這樣的行為會被傳承下來。數年後，我們將可能面臨的是，缺乏道德良知的成年人，對於他人的受苦只有些微、甚至全無體諒，難以感同身受。
說人類行為殘忍是一回事，但說人類是殘忍的生物，絲毫不想考慮其他受苦的生命或根本沒有同情心，又是另外一回事。某些時候，動物在科學研究中展現了驚人的利他主義、同情心和同類友情，不論是在動物之間、動物與其天敵之中，或在動物和人類之中。許多動物行為都被媒體和科學所記錄與報導。如果我們人類是明顯擁有較高智慧的文明物種，驕傲地誇耀自己使用工具、建築、完成種種成就和其他豐功偉業，但為何我們卻如此難以和環境、生態或動物和平共存？
對他人展現同理心和關心，常被怪異地認為是軟弱的表現，或過於感性且不正常。有鑑於此，不顯露出此行為反倒被視為正常，加上法律不足或甚至缺乏保護本地、經濟、野生或其他動物的法律，等於是變相鼓勵這樣的事實。然而，在企圖社會化的過程中，若雙方之間產生距離，將難以進一步理解對方的需求、智能等等。因此，我們以類似處理「跨文化溝通」的方式，用口語和非口語等各種要素去體察，同時認同其他動物有權存在，並且不去小看或縮減動物的認知和情感能力。
通常，我們因為太盲目而無法體悟到，我們其實是群體意識中的一份子。大部分社會上的人都隨波逐流，而不去質疑自己的舉動。但當我們體悟到或者有機會理解此議題時，我們只有兩種抉擇：選擇保持你的道德和原則，並且以行動來證明；或者選擇忽視道德義務和責任，只著眼於個人歡愉、興趣和便利。
一個人對於利用動物或動物產品，可以給予許多回應，但卻無法給出除了滿足口腹之慾或經濟獲利之外的解釋。甘地說得好：「追求享樂而無良知；從商無道德；發展科學卻缺乏人性；這些都是會毀滅個人和社會的條件之一。」
以物種來說，我們只證明了即使有能力可以獲得這麼多，我們卻選擇為了自私的利益，將我們的力量、智慧和統治能力運用在其他動物身上，這是我們締造的核心價值，也是我們為了維持日常生活所創造出來的循環。從遠古時期的狩獵群落到現代的文明社會，我們在道德上、倫理上和社會責任上，展現出持續地進化，而如果我們依然希望繼續進化，生存於一個更和諧、無暴力的環境中，我們則必須努力以更高的道德觀，無保留、無例外地去避免，因個人自私的需求和個人便利，而消費其他動物。重點不是在於人類和其他動物的差別，而是在於我們的相同之處，他們就像你我一樣。許多人觀察後的結論為：問題不在於他們是否會思考，他們是否會說話，而是在於他們真的該活受苦嗎？
The Ethics of Food
When we talk about ethics it would be safe to assume that we are applying it to almost every aspect of our lives. Interestingly enough do we rarely consider to apply much, if any ethics towards the foods we consume. How exactly does ethics come to play a role in our choices of food. The matter is that what we produce and how we produce the foods we consume have very profound consequences to the environment, our personal health, society and as in the focus of this article, the lives of billions of animals that are being barbarically exploited.
By acknowledging ethics in the foods we can avoid for instance the polluting of our air, soil and water through both the vast amounts of untreated manure (animal feces) the size of lagoons that leak or that are applied to the soil and rivers of our lands, as well as the industrial chemicals used as fertilizers and pharmaceutical drugs given to animals to maintain them alive under the abnormal and unnatural conditions they live in. The lack of ethics to properly educate the public on the facts of nutrition is a reflection of the detrimental effects of the so called modern day balanced diet. Lastly, there is an array of social implications that we as a society rarely question by unconsciously disregarding ethics when it comes to feeding ourselves with the use of animal products.
Can you recall or imagine a discussion on the moral and ethic issues of politics, religion, sexism, racism or human rights over dinner? Arguments and thoughts would be exchanged while consuming on a chicken wing or piece of beef. Much wouldn't be noticed but if you try to have a discussion on animal rights or the ethics of using animals in general, chances are dinner itself is the subject of discord.
Over 150 years ago many countries considered human slavery as common practice but of course it's not socially acceptable today. About 100 years ago, children were part of the labor force, where no laws existed to protect them. Women at one period of time did not have equal rights as a citizen and in some countries today they still do not and we obviously do not question that as absurd and an injustice. Our lack of action to help the homeless was not a social concern many years back then but as we know today society has reassessed its moral obligation to those less fortunate in our society. The practice of segregation and racism were not that long ago. We saw how people blatantly abused their fellow citizens, disgracing and humiliating them in various situations often done by those in power and authority. If we look back at the history of humanity, we will see that there were numerous social norms accepted by society, which nowadays society has now frowned upon or still aiding those in their struggle to break those archaic ideologies.
Just as there is a need to evolve technologically, our morals must equally evolve or surpass that technology. Otherwise, what we will encounter is a civilization with a certain level of technological power and capacity, but with little morals to over see the use of that science. This being the case, ultimately we can be our own downfall. Many people are familiar with Leo Tolstoy, George Bernard Shaw , Mahatma Gandhi, Pythagoras, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein just to name a few, these individuals contributed a great deal to society with the purpose to help society evolve both morally and technologically. These individuals from diverse circles of studies, fields and social status have shared similar beliefs regarding ethics and the treatment of animals in society. The 15 century Inventor, artist, and philosopher Leonardo Da Vinci stated that, "I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men. ” This man like many other philosophers, scientists, inventors and contributors to society realized that for social development and human survival, humanity is required and will at some point need to change its concepts in the treatment of animals. As citizens of a so called modern civilization, we are morally obligated to insure the wellbeing of all its members. Seeking to provide this entails to evolve morally and ethically without stipulations to any class or category of human or non-human animals.
Today, society views as a norm the methodical and systematic inhumane treatment and barbaric slaughter of more than 56,000,000,000 animals, every year for food, and this is not including the countless billions of marine animals. Society's acceptance and participation of these practices are done for pleasure profit or gain of some kind.
If you take for a moment to conceive that the number 56 billion is 7 times more than the human population, you will also come to realize that this requires to redirect vast amounts of food and fresh water supplies. What this comes down to is that the 1 billion people are starving on our planet, and the 1 billion lacking fresh drinking water come second, and satisfying our palate or pocket in profiting are higher priorities.
We should be aware that we ourselves are Human Animals and the other species we commonly refer to as animals are in actuality Non-Human Animals. We have taken these innocent non-human animals and have been continuously replicating every form of injustice and immorality that we have done to our fellow man in the past and present.
Discrimination is defined as the unfair treatment of a person, racial group, minority, etc. Consequently by assigning different values or rights to beings on the basis of their species is defined as Speciesism. Therefore, our actions are nothing less than discriminatory. Hence we are being Speciesist (e.g. racist, sexist, etc..) We have imprisoned them, have and currently preformed premeditated murder on the distorted notion that ‘’might is right'’ as we have done to other humans with holocausts and genocides. They are being oppressed and enslaved for food, entertainment or some other similar ill constructed reasoning. They are ridiculed, humiliated, physically and mentally broken down to submission. If you and I were in their position, placed to perform in ways that are unnatural to us, or to be raised from young isolated and prohibited to experience the natural social behaviors and the individual needs a living being requires, we would go mad. As with all sentient beings we thrive to live, feel pleasure, seek shelter and food, avoid pain, fear, suffering and death. For many of the non-human animals, which science is aware, they can clearly express deep social and family-like bonds. Ultimately, they are just like you and I.
We have placed and transformed these living sentient beings to commodities and objects of property, processing them as we would do so as with any other product placed on an assembly line.
For a moment, envision a the long cold corridor trailed by a mechanical apparatus from which these living beings are hung upside while awaiting a bloody and agonizing death. Along the these corridors, people like you and I with the capacity to sympathize with the pain and suffering of others, are required to stand at their posts with the task to restrain another living being preparing it to be violently murdered, while the screams and cries of those that have passed along those same sections are heard. Some receive a fierce blow to the head with the intention of rendering them unconscious, but in fact this proves to be unsuccessful the majority of the time. However, this procedure allows their slaughter to be categorized as ‘’humane’’. The conveyer belt moves along carrying the lifeless bodies of most while for some unfortunate ones having to slowly linger, due to the slow and poorly executed method of slaughter, they slip away to their death as they may go through other sections of the factory hurled into extremely boiling water. Afterwards, to be dismembered and gutted followed by other final routine operations based on the industry’s needs.
Not only do we have a complete disregard for the lives of the animals awaiting and going through these experiences but as well as for the lives of the individuals obligated to work in these facilities. As long as a demand by the public exists there will be positions to be filled in these slaughtering facilities. Those that fill these positions, if given an alternative would more than likely choose one that does not require them to brutally kill another being. It is questionable to cause pain, suffering or death out of necessity or survival, it is even more so if these cruel practices are done merely for pleasing the palate, matters of fashion, entertainment or gain. Savagely killing on a daily basis for 8-12 hours a day has its effects on an individual’s emotional psychological and physical well being. Statistics show not only are these individuals highly injured, but they also suffer from similar symptoms of (PTD) Post Traumatic Disorder as those affected by the experience of war. Many resort to substance abuse, domestic violence and more as a way to cope with these inhumane practices. We need to ask ourselves what kind of members of society we are producing or silently educating through the use of animals or animal derived products.
Among these cruel practices are the production and use of eggs and milk. Eggs, the menstruation of an animal, are laid using methods that cause suffering and discomfort to the hens. Firstly, the hen has been genetically modified. Then she is made at times to be starved to alter their internal clock in order to lay more eggs. Often the eggs are too large causing the uterus to collapse and so much more but little do people know. Milk, the liquid meat, intended for a calf is processed for human consumption. The calf is deprived of the much-needed milk, just as any baby needs to be breast-fed. The baby cow is torn away from it’s mother, causing emotional distress for both, as observed by the farmers and researchers. Shortly after, the baby is slaughtered. Many deliberately choose to ignore these truths while others are kept in the dark by marketing strategies that educate our society.
In addition to unconsciously fulfilling our personal needs and ignoring the suffering of others, we feed these same misled ideas to children so that we don’t have to assume the responsibility in changing our actions or to explain our own behavior. For example, for some, it is easier to instill children the practice of turning a blind eye, instead of telling them to examin the reality of ones actions. Unlike adults, children will clearly see the wrong in the mistreatment of animals and while not full of excuses, they do consider the feelings of others, be it human animals or non-human animals. Instead of leading our children up the path of proper morals, empathy, sympathy towards others, virtuous deeds and altruism, we take them down the dark road of ignorance and indifference. Behavior is learned and replicated, ‘Violence breeds violence’, and this is their inheritance. Then, in years to come, chances are what we will have to look forward to are adults imbedded with the same little moral consciousness and little to no consideration for the suffering of others.
Saying that humans perform cruel acts is completely different form saying that we are cruel beings with no desire to concern ourselves with the suffering of others or simply not having empathy. For some time now, non human animals have displayed to scientific observers the surprising ability of altruism, empathy and inter species friendship, amongst non human animals, or other would be natural enemies and human animals. Many have been documented and reported both in the media and in scientific proceedings. If we as human animals with the apparent ability of higher intelligence , a civilized species that so proudly boasts of our abilities of using tools, forming structures, numerous accomplishments and other amazing feats ,then why do we find it so difficult to live in harmony with the environment, the biodiversity or the non human animals.
To exercise compassion or concern for the needs of others oddly is viewed as a weakness or over sensitivity and somewhat abnormal. Whereas, not displaying such behavior is considered normal and many times encouraged by society as seen in its laws or lack of laws towards the protection of animals labeled as domestic, economic, wild life or others. However, as with any attempt of socializing if there is a distance created between the two parties it is difficult for any further understanding to who and what are the needs, intelligence, etc. Therefore, in a similar manner that we approach cross cultural communications with awareness of various factors both verbal and non verbal, it should also be done with higher consideration of others rights to exist, without belittling or diminishing in this case non human animal's cognitive abilities and emotional capabilities.
Usually, we are so blinded that we don’t realize that we are participating in a heard consciousness. Most of society’s members are simply following others and not questioning their own behavior. When we come to a realization or are given the opportunity to acknowledge the issues there are only two alternatives. Do you as an individual choose to morally develop maintaining your ethics and principles along with your actions and act accordingly or do you choose in suppressing the moral obligation and responsibility overlooking personal satisfaction, interests and convenience.
There are numerous responses a person can give for using animals or animal derived products, yet none provides an explanation other than pleasing the palate or profiting financially from it. Mahatma Gandhi said it best when he stated that, pleasure without conscience; business without morality; and science without humanity; these are some of the things that would destroy us as individuals and as a society.
As a species we are only demonstrating that even though with great capacity to attain so much, we choose to use our strength, intelligence and dominion over others for selfish interests and that is core value we contributing to society, and the circle we create and maintain in our own daily lives. From the time of primitive hunting gatherers to modern day civilizations we have displayed the ongoing evolution of our morals, ethics and perspective on social responsibilities and if we so desire to continue to evolve and strive to live in a more harmonious and non violent environment we must put into practice higher ethics without reservation or exceptions avoiding at all cost individualistic selfish needs and personal conveniences at the expense of others. The focus shouldn’t be on our differences but rather on our similarities, they are just like you and I. Observed by many and stated “the question is not can they reason? Nor can they talk? But can they suffer?”