Do you think the life of an animal is equal to the life of a human?

Question

Why/Why not?

Answer 1

of course not.

if you start saying animals and humans are equals, by logical deduction, you are saying all animals are equal.

then you have yourself a moral paradox. [one of many in the moral justificaiton for vegetarianism]

becuase if a tiger and a deer is equal, should we prevent a tiger from eating the deer? surely the tiger has a right to exist but a tiger needs to eat to survive, but a tiger will eat more then one deer in its lifetime.

Therefore, saving a tiger is like killing like 100 deers... if you don't kill the tiger, you're saying tigers are worth 1000 deers, and if you do kill the tiger, you're basically saying we should kill all carnivores.

if you start quantifying things and thinking about things logically, vegetarianism becomes really messy.

Answer 2

Yes, any way you look at it, animal life is equal to humans.

If you cut a human open and cut an animal open, we bleed the same, we fear the same, we feel pain the same. We have families, take care of our young, etc. So, what's the difference? We are all God's creatures.

Answer 3

No I don't.

I'm vegan because I choose to minimise my personal contribution to animal suffering as much as I can. But I value human life way, way over animal life.

What's more, I don't believe anyone who says they value them equally. If anyone thinks that feeling sad about a pet who's died is the same as grieving for a family member or friend, that person has not yet been bereaved. When they are, they will find out it's not the same thing at all.

And I'm willing to bet that people who say they value both equally have friends and family who eat meat, who they still eat with, visit, invite to their homes. If you knew someone had killed even one human being, or had colluded in that killing, or had paid to eat the flesh of the dead person - would you still call them friend and invite them into your home? I wouldn't. Nor would most people - because they KNOW it isn't the same thing as the killing of an animal.

Answer 4

An animal being equal to a human is a lousy argument for vegitarianism.  Animals kill and eat eachother all the time.  The higher animals even kill for reasons other than food, sometimes for pleasure.

Answer 5

Actually we are all a part of the Divine. Where is it that God is not?

So yes, I think every living creature is precious to God, and equal in His eyes if not in our own flawed human perception. But then, when have we humans been right about anything? Such hubris! We are the most dangerous creatures on the planet precisely because we think we are better than every one else. and I am not limiting that to animals -- we think we are better than people who think differently, dress differently, speak a different language and have a different color of skin or economic affluence. Are you kidding me?  No animal is equal to humans we are the lowest -- no other animal is so debased that it kills its own species with weapons of mass destuction. Give me a break.

Answer 6

In the long run, no.  Which doesn't mean I don't love  animals but if I could save a human vs. an animal there would be something wrong with me if I didn't save the human first.  (Unless of course the human is like Charles Manson, then I'm all about the animal.)

Answer 7

Humans ARE animals, and are equal to other animals.

But you have to remember that

"some animals are more equal than others."

Answer 8

No. I am a human/animal and my species is more important to me.

EDIT: Great post Lo. The animal killer vs. human killer acceptance is a perfect argument.

Answer 9

some animals live longer than humans....so what does that say.

Answer 10

even more so...no one would buy a human skin rug

Answer 11

One of the STUPIDEST questions  here. Have you been watching Planet of the Apes reruns? It's time for you to read the Bible and study religion.

Answer 12

Yes I believe they are equal, but that also means that humans have the right to hunt animals as they would hunt us in the wild.

Answer 13

I definetly think that animals should be treated with kindness and respect, and also the right to a happy life. They express love, show emotions, and are capable of suffering.

Humans contribute a lot to the world, but so do animals. Humans are very intelligent, but so are animals. It seems to me like we should treat animals as equals...they are our furry little mute friends :)

Answer 14

absolutly. just because they look and think differently doesnt mean that they really are any different. humans take everything forgranted while animals are overjoyed when they get the same meal every day. humans kill them, abuse them, and do what ever they want to them, and still they stay loyal. so, i dont really get how they are less valuable then us. i love animals!!! : )

Answer 15

no, the purpose of animals are for the needs of humans.

Answer 16

Yes, akin to the way I feel all human life is equal.

All species are equally valuable. Humankind is my family.

If I had to choose between saving my children or saving a total stranger, I would try to save both. The family comes first, though. That means I will try to treat my entire human family like my family and all species like my family. And when I have to make a decision, my human family is the side I take.