I’ve been trying to figure out exactly why I want to be a vegetarian. In part, it is because I don’t like that animals are treated horribly. I drive through Iowa and see cows and pigs knee deep in mud and their own excrement. This makes me horribly sad. However, when I consider how my abstinence from eating meat changes that, I become disappointed. My refusal to eat meat doesn’t do anything for the animals. I guess I’m beginning to lose hope in what one person can do. Sure, when put together each individual is part of one giant force, but it’s not enough to cause change. Farmers in Iowa will not make sure that their land is better taken care of strictly b/c of the animals. Maybe I need to do something more, such as lobbying for animal rights or something. Does becoming a vegetarian really make a difference?
The other reason I became vegetarian was b/c I cannot stand the idea of killing and eating something that has higher order cognition or personality. It’s like eating a person, or my cat. I can’t bring myself to do that. However, I have not had the chance to determine which animals have these characteristics, so I just gave up eating all meat. I really need to resolve these issues within myself. How do y’all feel? Anyone know the answers to the things I question?
