Animals Quote by Gilbert Murray
“The average beast of prey is a decent creature who merely kills for the sake of food or in a fight against an enemy. It is only man who calls killing "sport" and kills for the pleasure of killing; not for food, not for self-defense, but just to satisfy some primitive instinct, once necessary and now perverted.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Ethics of Hunting", 1975
Humans uniquely hunt for sport, turning killing into a perverted pleasure beyond survival.
In simple terms: People hunt for fun, not need.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of sport hunting.
Themes
ethics
human nature
violence
environment
culture
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- wildlife conservation
- policy debate
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
animal rights
psychology of aggression
Questions to Reflect On
- Is sport hunting ever justified?
- How does culture shape attitudes toward killing?
A Different Perspective
Sport hunting may reinforce harmful instincts.
