Buenaseda, Janina Bianca V.

De Jose, Aleanah Joy R.

Dyad: Submit per pair; Safe Assign.

1. Peter Singer endorses the view that a genuine concern for the pains of animals
demands that we all become vegetarians. Pain and the minimization of animal
suffering is his goal. Do you agree with Singer?

Peter Singer argues that all sentient beings that biologically feel pain deserves
equal moral consideration. Since almost all animals feel pain, consuming its meat as
we do today is considered immoral and thus Singer suggests that we all become
vegetarians. Although Singer makes a great point in this argument, we do not agree on
his moral theory. We believe that humans eating animal meat is no less ethical than a
lion eating its prey. It is human nature to consume meat, and in fact, a healthy diet
must always include meat since there are plenty of nutrients only present in meat that
can’t be found in vegetables. We think that the pain and suffering of animals is
different from the pain and suffering of humans. Animals only feel physical pain
which is inevitable in their life cycle. Humans, on the other hand, does not only suffer
physically but also emotionally because they have the ability to feel emotions. Hence,
it has been relatively accepted in our society for centuries that eating animal meat is
alright and moral, while eating human meat is considered not morally accepted.

2. How can we alleviate suffering in the world (i.e. malnutrition)? Are there any
consequences if one does not give to the least in the community? Discuss your
answer as a pair.

Suffering is inevitable in our world but we tend to worsen it because of our lack
of discipline, empathy, and love. Discipline within oneself can affect the world like the
chaos theory, 'Butterfly Effect'. A butterfly effect is a simple act that can change a
bigger event or happening. If we have discipline within ourselves, we would be aware
of our surroundings, obey the law for a harmonious living, and control ourselves in any
form of immoral act. Empathy and love are somehow similar since caring is both
present in these two intangible assets. However, empathy and love stops being
intangible if they are put into action. For a butterfly effect example, a child was raised
and was disciplined by his parents. As he grew older, he became wise, obeyed his
parents, and finished his studies. By the time he was in a legal age, he voted for the
most deserving candidate to lead the country because he believed that his vote can make
an impact. The candidate which he voted and won have empathy with the poor, so his
advocacy is focused on fighting poverty. If all citizens are disciplined, educated, aren't
blinded by sugar-coated words by corrupt leaders, then the whole country would be
better. Even a small flap of a butterfly's wing can change the whole world.

So far, we believe that there's no such thing as 'karma'. There are ups and downs
in our lives, and that's how it should be, because how can one appreciate the beauty of
life if there's no downfall. We can't truly be happy without sadness because it's what
makes us long for successes and achievements. Our lives would be boring if we already
have what we want thus we start as dreaming so we can grasp our goal. Knowing that
we all have our targets, we should help one another not because you wanted something
in return, but seeing the people you helped succeeded, also bring us joy.