After reading the reader responses to “Consider the Lobster”, one individuals letter (written by William Scheller) made me think about how the article fits into our current focus of study. I found it interesting how he brought up the point that humans are the only meat eating beings on this planet that actually feel bad about killing and eating other animals. He further brings up the point that by feeling this anxiety and distress, we are less like the rest of nature and notes that this seems to separate us from other natural things.
Another point that I thought was interesting was when Wallace described the lobster cooking process, saying that some home cooks find the whole process upsetting and leave the room once the lobster begins thrashing. I find this intriguing because most people I know do not feel this anxiety when they eat a lobster, but haven’t prepared it themselves. This pattern applies to other meat sources; I know that a majority of my friends do not feel grief when eating a hamburger, but if they were asked to kill and butcher a cow, they would be physically and emotionally unable to do so.
Does anyone know why we as humans feel upset when we kill and/or eat other animals? Or why some people feel more anguish than others about this topic(1)? Is there some sort of biological or psychological basis for this? My theory is that humanity’s domestication of animals in ancient times has created a cultural companionship with animals. This has led to an emotional connection to animals that is difficult to sever due to the complex ethical guidelines put in place by our society(2). Furthermore, do you think that this is one of the factors that lead humans to view themselves as separate from nature?
1. This variability of empathy can be seen throughout the reader response page, ranging from high levels of aversion towards killing lobsters (e.g. Maria Cimino) to annoyance that anyone would even care about the lobsters feelings (e.g. Alice Homeyer or Christopher Madsen).
2. Although I am quite possibly wrong; my knowledge of biology, psychology, and anthropology is rather limited. The discomfort caused by killing and eating other animals does seem to be culturally based though since many other countries (in particular 3rd world countries) seem to differ from us in this respect.
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This is a very interesting post on an issue that people have mixed feelings about. I agree that the majority of my friends have no ethical hesitations when enjoying a cheeseburger, yet if they (or I) were asked to slaughter and butcher the cow themselves they would not be able to do so. Perhaps a connection can be drawn to the ancient times when humans developed a companionship with animals and today we invite animals such as dogs and cats into our homes and regard them as part of the family.
ReplyDeleteThere are other cultures and countries that do not seem to have the same ethical hesitations as we in America do toward the slaughtering, preparing, and eating of animals. Many countries eat dog, cat, guinea pig, horse, etc. The consumption of such animals in America would instantly be an issue.
Perhaps cultural views on this topic differ but personal views and morals do as well. Especially in our country, the range of opinions is immense. It will be interesting to see what others have to say regarding this topic!
Human beings have the biological development to be carnivores (i.e. our teeth and jaws). I think the reason for this hesitation towards the killing of animals is our neurological development. Starting out, we were no different from any other carnivore on the planet, but for some reason our cerebral cortex developed further than others. Now we have these neurological components in our brain called 'Mirror Neurons'. They are what allow to feel empathy. If you see someone raise their hand these mirror neurons will fire in your brain. If both people were to be placed in an fMRI, they would show brain activity in the same places even though one is only thinking about moving his or her hand. This, I believe, transfers to when we slaughter animals for their meat. When we boil of lobster alive the mirror neurons that would process the pain of boiling alive fire and thus makes us very uncomfortable. Uncomfortable enough to speak out and try to stop this "inhuman" killing. There is obviously much cultural influence working behind the scenes as well as discussed in class. As far as the lobster cooking goes, I don't have a problem with it. I can't justify eating other meat if I speak out against cooking this lobster. I like my meat, and if I didn't eat meat there's a good chance that I would die from malnutrition. (I don't eat fruit, and I eat few veggies)
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