How do you measure lives worth?

Question

Mainly with other animals. Do you tend to care more about animals that are more intelligent? Would does it take for you to keep an animal as a pet? What does it take for you to make an animal a meal? What makes others worth more worthy to you?

Can we value all life equally? Should we?

Answer 1

That's a tough question, but I do tend to care more about intelligent animals.  I won't put up much of a fight for a mosquito's right to fair treatment, but I would for a cat or dog.  I generally try not to harm other animals regardless of intelligence, unless they are the type that would harm me.  I have no problem swatting a mosquito, but I never squash a spider or centipede, and I let them go on living in my house if I find one there.  

For me to keep an animal as a pet, I would need to know more about its care and personality.  Species and intelligence doesn't bother me there, but I like cats for instance, because its easy to find a veterinarian who knows how to treat them, I like their appearance and personality, and they fit well with my lifestyle.

The animals I eat are usually the animals I don't like.  I don't care much for fish or chicken as organisms, so I don't feel bad about eating them.  I like cows, so I eat beef sparingly.  With any animal, I try to eat only free range, pampered animals who had a fulfilling and enjoyable life.  

I suppose the animals worth more to me are vertebrates, maybe because they are easy to see, often intelligent, sometimes make good companions, and are more similar to me than say, a sea squirt or ladybug.

I don't think its possible to value all life equally.  To do that would mean for instance, giving someone life in prison for swatting a fly.  At the same time, animals that are clearly self aware and in danger from mistreatment need some level of protection and rescuing.  I wouldn't wish a life sentence on someone who starves a dog to death, but I wouldn't want him to get a slap on the wrist either.

Answer 2

animals are tasty

Answer 3

i look at it this away farm animals are good for breakfast dinner and supper and if enough for a family or bussiness should have a farm...now the 1s that like to hunt if your hungry and need to shoot for food so be it but if only thinks that big buck or bear would look great on your wall then thats sad to think some1 only wants to kill for a trophy

i have alot of pets 3dogs,2puppies,1cat,1lizard,a bunch of wild birds i feed,deers in the woods love apples and salt blocks,squirrels,may not believe this i even help the ants by giving them bread left-overs

i think we can value all life =ly and its about time we do

Answer 4

Good question. There are some people who think that the lower you go down the chain, the less respect you should have for that form of life. I personally try to hold true to the belief that if it's alive, and it's not causing you harm, then it should live.

Unfortunately, this belief isn't common.

Answer 5

You can value life, not measure it.

Answer 6

Do you know how large the universe?It is uncountable large.Same things applied on lives.Human's lives are more important than animals because we have desires,but animals don't.

Answer 7

yeah sure, but i suppose its a cruel world now and its kill or be killed so if i were attacked i wouldnt hesitate to end somethings life if nessessary, and my theory on vegetarianism is if a cow needed 2 eat you to survive it would so tuck in! but ye cruelty to life and animals in general in disgusting

Answer 8

you want my opinion? all life, Everything is equal weather you think it was created or not doesn't Matter that still doesn't give You the Right to put someone Else down(animal OR human) to make yourself feel better!

Answer 9

I get your point.

If anything we need more "humane" practices.

A little about myself. I grew up on a small farm. We had "feeder cattle" but they had land to roam, trees to rest in, fresh grass, water, etc for several years.

Today most animals live in big feeder lots and that is really a horrible existence. But profitable for the big corporations.

I understand what you say, but it is not easy to go vegan either due to the cost.

All the best.

Answer 10

I believe that if something is alive than we should leave it that way.

Of course that would be too easy...