Rhetorical Analysis Of All Animals Are Equal

Peter Singer Essay

Peter Singer and his philosophy have received a range of praise and criticism for his progressive views. Some have called him the most dangerous man in the world, while others consider him a hero in the teachings of morality and ethics. His detractors make mention of his views on Animal Equality, blasting his comparisons of modern man’s treatment of animals to that of; slavery the Holocaust, human suffering and infanticide. Singer’s essay, All Animals Are Equal, poses the argument that all sentiment beings are entitled to the most basic of dignities and consideration, no different than those considerations reserved for humans. Singer draws no line of distinction between our species and other species who we, as humans
The industrialization of our meat and food industry has obliterated the notion of Old McDonald’s farm and replaced it with scenes that are deplorable by any morally just person’s standards. These large animal farms, that I have personal experience with (Oakdale Egg farms in Pasco Washington) produce an estimated 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. That share is larger than that produced by transportation. That statistic should be coupled with the fact that for every six pounds of grain fed to livestock and poultry, we receive in return, one pound of food (Singer). Part of the reason why I get pissed off every time I see a new shiny, One Cent Penny, is because I am aware that the cost of making the damned thing is more than it is worth. If the fact that we are so wasteful in a practice that is so morally flawed in standard industry practices, we should be appalled at the fare on our tables? The ethics of our waste and maltreatment of animals is as acratic of practice as I can think of in today’s world, with as little pushback seen from the general masses. Singer states, “If we do not change our dietary habits, how can we censure those slaveholders who would not change their way of living?” Changing our diet is tough no doubt. Envisioning a life without meat is very difficult for me but in my household, a concerted effort is made to purchase free range, organic and humanely treated animal products. Where Singer see’s no need for meat in a diet that can be supplemented with non-animal products for nutrition, I feel that the separation created is too much too soon for most Americans and other industrialized nations. Singer does aptly point out though, that “Our custom is all the support that the meat-industry needs. The decision to cease giving it that support may be difficult, but it is no more