Should I Stop Consuming Meat?

In the article "Vegetarianism, Causation, and Ethical Theory" , Russ Shafer-Landau focuses on arguments against meat consumption. One of the main argument's that Shafer-Landau focuses on is the argument made by Consequentialists. Consequentialists believe that meat eating is wrong because it inflicts harm on animals. What Shafer-Landau is arguing in this article is that Consequentialists fail to show that their is an obligation to not consume meat.

False Hope:  Vegetarianism and Animal Cruelty

Animal rights is a very controversial topic especially pertaining to factory farms.  Animals at such facilities are often subjected to harsh treatment during their lives so that they can be slaughtered and sold for human consumption.  In effect, someone must be held responsible for how these animals are treated.  Russ Shafer-Landau explores the various arguments pertaining to animal cruelty in his article "Vegetarianism, Causation, and Ethical Theory".  He critiques two versions of the consequentialists' arguments towards meat eating which he dubbed the "...Inefficacy Argument..." (Shafer-Landau, 1994).

Act Utilitarianism: Fundamentally Flawed

J.J.C. Smart discusses the ideas of extreme and restricted utilitarianism, also known as rule and act utilitarianism.  In a broader sense, utilitarianism refers to the idea of assessing morality (or in this case rationality) by the consequences that result from an action or actions.  Smart eludes that rule and act utilitarianism come into the picture based on our interpretations of these "actions."  If we understand these actions to be "particular individual actions" then we judge them by their individualistic consequences.  This logic is the basis for those who have grown to adopt act utilitarianism.  This belief treats moral rules as mere rules of thumb that, in extenuating circumstances, can be broken if the total well being of the society would be improved.  Contrarily, those who believe in restricted utilitarianism determine whether or not actions fall under specific moral rules.  They are analyzed as a class of actions and if the moral rule is acceptable, so is the action.

The Obligation to Education in a Consequentialist Lens

In a recent Oklahoma legislature meeting, Republican representative Mike Reynolds asserted "they have no responsibility to ensure access to college education."

The discussion arose in the midst of the ongoing debate of whether or not to expand Oklahoma's Promise. This program provides funding to low-income students for their secondary education. One side believes that it is the state government's job to ensure bright, qualified students get a chance to receive higher education. According to Democratic representative James Lockhart, these students are imperative to help because of their potential future value; it is this type of student "that will cure cancer, create the next big invention or possibly become a great leader."

Reynolds', on the opposition, denied society's responsibility to fund any one else's education and, regardless of how bright a student may be, "their potential benefit is irrelevant." Just to clarify though, Reynolds is not opposed to funding public K-12 education. His support towards providing financial assistance simply stops at the 12th grade level.