1825:
Edited
by CJ Tointon
Would you like to win approval from a
pig? Whilst humans can communicate feelings between each other easily, pigs and
humans don't have a language in common, therefore communing with them is
difficult. Nor do most of us ever get to meet a pig so our interest in them is
usually low. We might pity them. We might empathise with their plight or even
imagine their feelings, but most people choose to just not think of them at
all. Do they empathise with us? Probably not. Humans must
surely be regarded by them as their enemies, tormentors and gaolers. It's been
this way throughout the generations - because people like to eat pigs!
Communications between fellow humans is
different from human/animal communications. When we are admired and 'approved
of' by other people, or when there's a social rapport, it makes us feel good.
There's nothing quite like it. And if there is mutual good feeling being communicated
in a subtle or overt way, it can be the 'food of love'. Whether it's through
eye contact, a smile or a show of affection, it can lift one's spirits to the
point of exhilaration.
But it's likely that our ethical
principles and our ability to empathise with 'the pig' would not bring much in
the way of admiration or approval from our fellow humans. In fact, it could
endanger our relationships. The omnivore would be bewildered by our 'pointless
empathy'. They wouldn't understand. It happens quite frequently when vegans
socialise. When we eat with others and it becomes obvious that we are NOT
sharing the same food, there's a withdrawal of mutual approval. The very act of
not eating something with an animal connection, becomes a statement of difference
in values. And that can spell danger to any human relationship. To the animal
eater, it's as if the vegan has dampened an otherwise pleasant mood around the
dinner table.
I suspect that 'mood' is our main
master. When something affects our mood, we notice what it is. Once a
difference appears, e.g. someone eating and enjoying meat and someone showing
their disapproval by refusing to eat it, we become conscious of a change in
atmosphere. Moods shift. Differences become confronting. Mutual good feeling disappears.
In contrast, the presence of 'good mood'
feels like strength. We feel it when we're in love, in a state of high energy
and good health, or when we're happy, inspired or admired. But, depending on
the origin of this 'good mood', if we feel empowered by it, we might decide to
ride the wave and go exploring. We might dare to step beyond, momentarily
leaving part of our old self behind and pursuing an aspect of a new self. And
if that means we are raising our consciousness a notch, we might then begin to
uncover a new set of challenges, which, if tackled, can bring us to a
heightened state of sensitivity.
But when this touches on our use of
animals, as inspiring as that may be, we also know there will be certain
implications. At first we become more conscious of some of the foods we've been
eating. We become more aware of what we've been doing all our lives - using
animals for food! The more we empathise with 'food' animals, the more the
matter of 'sentience' comes into the picture. We consider the feelings they have. We have to admit that they are not all that different to our
own companion animals. If the family dog can show loyalty and affection,
there's no reason why a farm animal (like a pig) can't have the same set of
feelings. But unlike our companion animal at home, there's nothing being
communicated between us and the farm animal. If we ever do come into live
contact with one, the two-way flow is unquestionable. No sooner do we regard
the animal as sentient (like ourselves) than we begin to think differently
about them. This marks the very great difference between vegans and omnivores.
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