Evidence of plant sentience means we should eat plants?

[Guest guest]

Much of the vegetarian reaction to the recent NY Times article " Sorry,

Vegans, Brussels Sprouts Like To Live Too " takes the form of the

argument that if it turns out that plants are sentient, then that is

actually an argument for eating them, because eating animal products

involves killing more plants. This is the same answer passed down in

vegetarian FAQs and repeated by vegetarians (including myself) for over

a decade. But, given that the reasoning " if plants are sentient, then we

should eat them " is odd, to say the least, some people are thinking

seriously about what the acceptance of plant sentience would mean

vis-a-vis veganism:

-------------------

http://vegansofcolor.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/what-if-plants-have-secret-lives/

 

So: What if plants can suffer, or if some plants are sentient?

 

As a person committed to trying to end suffering and oppression what

could I do.

 

Obviously I could draw a line, remain vegan, say, “Too bad plants. There

is nothing we can do about this. I must eat.”

 

I could explore other modes of getting my food. Fruitarianism,

necrophagia, coprophagia (shudder), detritivorianism.

 

And perhaps this is why it is upsetting to think of plants as possible

of suffering. Because then veganism would become the moral equivalent

of pescatarianism, and there wouldn’t be as much space to maneuver

ethically. You can’t feed many people on naturally dead things and

fallen fruit.

 

If plants can feel it requires a rethinking of what an ethical diet,

ethical living in general, means for all of us.

-------------------

http://challengeoppression.com/2009/12/22/plants-and-reactions/

 

Every time vegans learn more about the amazing animals sharing our

planet, we grab onto that information and add it to our arsenal of

arguments in favor of, you know, not eating them. We parade the videos,

showcase the photos, share the personal experiences – look at us, we

implore, see how these other animals are smart, fascinating and engaging!!

 

But the moment plants are brought up, it’s as if we transform into

defensive omnivores. What?!? How dare you claim plants might suffer? Are

you stupid, plants can’t move, why would they experience pain?!? Your

arguments are laughable and inane! Which is, of course, how nearly every

vegan blogger reacted when they read Natalie Angier’s New York Times

article titled “Sorry, Vegans: Brussel Sprouts Like to Live, Too.” Some

of the posts were so vituperative, so unnecessarily angry that I

couldn’t help but think of similar responses I’ve read from angry

omnivores, ornery hunters, pissed-off farmers.

-------------------

 

Victor

 

--

The Vegan Ideal: http://veganideal.org/

Veganism as Anti-Oppression: http://loveallbeings.org/