The animals you say were 'sent' for man's free use and…
“The animals you say were 'sent' for man's free use and nutriment. Pray, then, inform me, and be candid, why came they aeons before man did, to spend long centuries on earth. Awaiting their devourer's birth? Those ill-timed chattels, sent from heaven, were, sure, the maddest gift e'er given - 'sent' for man's use (can man believe it?) when there was no man to receive it!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote questions why animals existed long before humans and critiques the notion that they were created solely for human benefit, highlighting the absurdity of such a belief.
In simple terms: Animals existed before humans; using them solely for us is absurd.
Key Takeaway
Rethink humanity’s relationship with animals.
Themes
ethics
human-animal relationship
environment
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- conservation policy
- dietary choices
- animal rights activism
- education curricula
Key Concepts
anthropocentrism
utilitarianism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do we have toward animals that predate us?
- How does this view affect modern environmental ethics?
A Different Perspective
The argument assumes a teleological purpose for animals, which may not hold scientifically.