Thus far, our responsibility for how we treat chickens and…
““Thus far, our responsibility for how we treat chickens and allow them to be treated in our culture is dismissed with blistering rhetoric designed to silence objection: “How the hell can you compare the feelings of a hen with those of a human being?” One answer is, by looking at her. It does not take special insight or credentials to see that a hen confined in a battery cage is suffering, or to imagine what her feelings must be compared with those of a hen ranging outside in the grass and sunlight. We are told that we humans are capable of knowing just about anything that we want to know—except, ironically, what it feels like to be one of our victims. We are told we are being “emotional” if we care about a chicken and grieve over a chicken’s plight. However, it is not “emotion” that is really under attack, but the vicarious emotions of pity, sympathy, compassion, sorrow, and indignity on behalf of the victim, a fellow creature—emotions that undermine business as usual. By contrast, such “manly” emotions as patriotism, pride, conquest, and mastery are encouraged.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
We dismiss animal suffering with rhetoric, while human emotions like pity are suppressed, yet those emotions are vital for moral progress.
In simple terms: People ignore animal pain and label caring as emotional.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge animal suffering and trust compassionate feelings.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
empathy
cultural critique
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
ethical
activist
When to use this quote
- dietary choices
- legislation
- activism
- education
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your culture treat animal pain?
- What role should empathy play in policy?
A Different Perspective
Compassion can be seen as weakness in profit-driven cultures.