Animal Quote by 21st Baron Willoughby de Broke David Verney
“The noble Lord, Lord Harrison, said, 'Fox hunting is cruel and I therefore want it banned.' He went on to discuss the option of controlling foxes by shooting with a rifle. He suggested that that method was preferred in the Burns report. However, nowhere in that report, so far as I can see, does any conclusion suggest that fox hunting is cruel. I defy the noble Lord to find a reference in the Burns report that says that fox hunting is cruel. It does not say that anywhere. Therefore, the only conclusion to draw is that fox hunting is not cruel.”
About This Quote
Source Parliamentary debate, UK House of Lords, 2023
The speaker challenges the claim that fox hunting is cruel by demanding evidence, concluding it is not cruel based on the absence of such evidence in the Burns report.
In simple terms: Absence of evidence is used to argue lack of cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Seek concrete evidence before forming judgments.
Themes
animal welfare
policy
logic
evidence
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
animal:1
banned:0
conclusion:1
doe:0
draws:0
fox hunting:1
foxes:1
hunting:1
i can:0
lord:1
noble:1
reports:1
rifles:0
said:0
shooting:0
want:0
foxes shooting:0
hunting cruel:0
says fox:0
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- environmental activism
- ethical discussion
Key Concepts
argumentation
legislative process
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would change your view?
- How reliable is the Burns report?
A Different Perspective
Lack of evidence does not prove innocence; other data may exist.
