The willed blindness of humans: animal welfare and beyond

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This paper describes how we seem to live in a willed blindness towards the effects that our meat production and consumption have on animals, the environment and the climate. It is a willed blindness that cannot be explained by either lack of knowledge or scientific uncertainty. The blindness enables us to see ourselves as moral beings although our lack of reaction to the effects of our actions tells another story. The consequences, especially to animal welfare are outlined and it is briefly discussed whether a solution lies in a new moral vision of our obligations or a new vision of what a good life is. The second option is identified to be the more promising.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationClimate change and sustainable development : ethical perspectives on land use and food production
EditorsThomas Potthast, Simon Meisch
Number of pages6
PublisherWageningen Academic Publishers
Publication date2012
Pages35-40
ISBN (Print)978-90-8686-197-2
ISBN (Electronic)978-90-8686-753-0
Publication statusPublished - 2012
EventEurSAFE 2012 - Tübingen, Germany
Duration: 30 May 20122 Jun 2012

Conference

ConferenceEurSAFE 2012
LandGermany
ByTübingen
Periode30/05/201202/06/2012

ID: 38430978