Equality for Animals

           Peter Singer discusses the harsh conditions animals face, and why it is no longer needed for us to eat meat in his article, Equality for Animals.” He also makes the point that humans can achieve long, healthy lifestyles without the need for the consumption of flesh. The argument that we need to eat meat solely for protein has become outdated in that there are many different alternatives we can utilize to obtain protein. Such alternatives include protein bars, peanuts, tofu, and many more varieties.

            Singer opens up with a strong ethical appeal, in that he puts animals in our shoes when vouching for them. An example of this would be when he states that when,” considering the ethics of the use of animal products for human food in industrialized societies, we are considering a situation in which relatively minor human interest must be balanced against the lives and welfare of the animals involved.” (Singer 179) The main point Singer makes, is that he is not just vouching for animals, but for equality itself. He doesn’t believe that major interests should be sacrificed for minor interests.

            I agree and disagree with Singer’s point of view. I agree that the industrialization of animal products needs to stop, and that they shouldn’t live their lives cooped up in crowded and disgusting living conditions. I also agree with the fact that it is indeed possible for us to live without eating meat.

However, he doesn’t consider the cost of living a vegan lifestyle. One has to be financially stable in order to be able to afford the alternative foods. For example, soy and almond milk are considerably more expensive than regular milk, and not every family in the US can afford that. He also fails to look at the global scale, in that some countries continue to fight for their lives and can barely make it hunting for animals.  In counties like the Philippines, there are still people living on the streets, having to eat dogs because those are the only wild animals they can get their hands on. So although I respect his flowery argument for animals, I don’t believe it is realistic worldwide.