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Today, on Charles Darwin’s birthday, we thank him for his contributions to science. He changed a major paradigm of his time. In his work on evolution, he maintained that there are no uniquely human characteristics, and that the difference between humans and nonhuman animals is one of degree, not type. He noted that, “animals have a feeling of love for each other [and] certainly sympathise with each other’s distress or danger.” But even with everything we have learned about animals (including from Darwin), an outdated and cruel paradigm continues to persist today, one that normalizes the treatment of animals as mere “things” for human use and consumption. This perpetuates the massive and completely unnecessary death and suffering we inflict upon countless billions of nonhuman victims every year. Our continued exploitation of animals conflicts harshly with the moral implications of we know, both scientifically and intuitively, about animals. If nonhuman animals are sentient (as science confirms they are), then they matter morally. And, if they matter morally, then we cannot justify exploiting, harming or killing them for reasons of trivial pleasure, amusement or convenience. We have no morally sufficient justification to harm or kill any animals for food, clothing, entertainment, vivisection or other such purpose, as we can all live and thrive by eating, dressing and otherwise living vegan. It’s well past time for our culture to again “evolve” beyond an antiquated paradigm, and to embrace respect and nonviolence towards all sentient animals. It’s the right thing to do (and, as no minor after-thought, it also happens to be urgently needed for the sake of our planet and the environment). |