"We don't need a god - we can do it ourselves" - Philosopher Richard Brown - Sentientism

I'm slowly falling off the fence I've been sitting on top of into vegan territory due to ethical reasons presented here. Not exclusively here, but it just makes so much sense. This was a good conversation! And I wasn't aware of Sentientism which I will be looking into it further. Thanks.

I've got some cognitive dissonance going on in regard to the morality of meat consumption.

I don't have any clear objections to Richard's take, if we are to value sentience this must be extended beyond just the fancy apes.

I rationalized this when I was younger, recognizing that all life requires the consumption of life material, and that I happen to be a form that is omnivorous. This reasoning lead to having no moral objection to hunting, and committing my personal actions to the entire process. I now recognize this to be weak justification.

I work in retail, managing large quantities of meat. Tens of millions of kgs per year. So this moral statement not only affects my personal diet, what I feed my family, but also how I provide for my family.

So I agree with Richard's rational position, but I'm not committed to the conclusion enough to upend me and my families life to resolve my cognitive dissonance.

Does that make me a moral monster?

You're 50? No way