According to a new study, people who consume meat are more
likely to tolerate social inequality beyond exploiting animals for food.
likely to tolerate social inequality beyond exploiting animals for food.
A recent Munchies
article showcases a group of international researchers who have identified the
primary justifications, known as the “4Ns, that people use for consuming
animals. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you’ve likely heard these excuses
before:
article showcases a group of international researchers who have identified the
primary justifications, known as the “4Ns, that people use for consuming
animals. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you’ve likely heard these excuses
before:
“It’s natural to eat meat!
“It’s necessary to eat meat. (for adequate
protein, etc.)
protein, etc.)
“It’s normal. Everyone does it.
“Meat tastes nice.
According to the article:
Those who most endorsed the 4Ns
were more likely to be male, more likely to tolerate other forms of social
inequality, and were quicker to point out cows’ inferior intelligence to
humans. …… Another interesting insight that
can be gleaned from the study is that it could explain all of the
eye-rolling that meat eaters tend to wield at vegetarians and vegans, despite
the fair amount of evidence that eating less or even no meat is now generally
considered a good thing by everyone from Bill Gates to
the United
Nations.
The researchers also note the contradiction in caring for
some animals, namely dogs and cats, while consuming other animals equally
deserving of consideration.
some animals, namely dogs and cats, while consuming other animals equally
deserving of consideration.
All animals have the capacity to experience joy and suffering,
and deserve equal protections. The best thing we can do to align our values of
compassion and fairness with our diets is to leave animals off the menu.
and deserve equal protections. The best thing we can do to align our values of
compassion and fairness with our diets is to leave animals off the menu.
For delicious vegan recipes, click here.
