Why It's OK to Eat Meat

While many people continue to eat meat, this does not necessarily mean they are morally corrupt. Dan C. Shahar's book "Why It's OK to Eat Meat" argues that it is possible to be an ethical person while continuing to eat meat, and that each person has the latitude to choose which of the world's problems to tackle and how to do so. He challenges the ethical arguments for avoiding meat based on concerns about animal welfare, worker conditions, the environment, and public health, and develops a novel theory of ethical activism that could apply to other issues.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Vegetarians have passionately argued that consuming meat is morally wrong. Despite this, a significant majority of people continue to indulge in meat consumption, and even many vegetarians eventually abandon their dietary practices. Does this imply that these individuals must be morally corrupt?

In his book "Why It's OK to Eat Meat," Dan C. Shahar presents a compelling argument to refute this notion. He argues that it is entirely possible to be an ethical person while still consuming meat, and not just the fancy offerings from the farmers' market but also the regular meat found at most supermarkets and restaurants. Shahar's examination echoes the concerns of vegetarians regarding the impacts of the meat industry on animals, workers, the environment, and public health. However, he demonstrates that the most influential ethical arguments for avoiding meat on these grounds are ultimately unconvincing. Instead of insisting that everyone become vegetarians, Shahar suggests that each individual has the latitude to choose which of the world's problems to tackle, in what ways, and to what extent. This means that people can decline to engage in this particular form of activism without doing anything wrong.

The book offers a concise and accessible introduction to the multifaceted debate over the ethics of eating meat. It includes pioneering new examinations of humane labeling practices, which challenge the assumption that meat-eating is inherently cruel. Shahar also develops a novel theory of ethical activism, which has potential applications to a wide range of other issues.

In conclusion, "Why It's OK to Eat Meat" provides a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the ethics of meat consumption. It challenges the conventional wisdom that meat-eating is inherently unethical and offers a compelling case for why individuals can consume meat while still being ethical. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in this topic and will undoubtedly spark further discussion and debate.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367172763