Animal Quote by Shelly Kagan
![“My view [is] that what morality boils down to is, 'Don’t harm, and do help.' And now the question is, 'Can creatures like chickens and cows be harmed?' And the answer is, 'Of course they can.' Consequently, I think it’s immoral to harm them. And that seems to me to provide a very strong moral…” quote by Shelly Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/45e/shelly-kagan-90612_animal_my-view-is-that-what-morality-boils-down_2727219.jpg)
““My view [is] that what morality boils down to is, 'Don’t harm, and do help.' And now the question is, 'Can creatures like chickens and cows be harmed?' And the answer is, 'Of course they can.' Consequently, I think it’s immoral to harm them. And that seems to me to provide a very strong moral reason to be vegetarian, to not wear leather... it seems to me that our treatment of animals is morally appalling... and that we ought to radically revise the way we live, precisely because they feel pain, they can be hurt, and we’re constantly hurting these creatures!””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: "Moral Obligations to Animals", 2015
Moral duty is to avoid harming and to help; since animals can suffer, harming them is immoral, supporting vegetarianism and anti‑leather stances.
In simple terms: We should not harm sentient animals; they deserve protection.
Key Takeaway
Adopt practices that minimize animal suffering.
Themes
ethics
animal rights
compassion
dietary choices
Mood
empathetic
serious
Type
ethical
activist
When to use this quote
- diet planning
- activism
- policy making
- educational outreach
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
sentience
environmental ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal habits with moral convictions?
- What alternatives can reduce animal harm?
A Different Perspective
Cultural and economic factors complicate ethical choices.
