Why do people always tell us that it's natural to eat meat?

Question

When that's a common fallacy called "Appeal to nature" and therefore not a valid argument as to whether it is good or bad to eat meat.

So why do they keep using it?

Answer 1

Very few people understand the rhetoric of argument. Just like a lot of vegetarians use the argument, "We don't need to eat meat to survive," people are going to point out that something is natural. Natural doesn't mean right anymore than unnecessary means wrong.

That's all. There are a million different appeals out there, some valid and some invalid. For some people, appeals to nature are also ethical/emotional appeals, which can be quite valid. (The problem, of course, is that since we don't all operate under the same set of values, they won't always be effective.)

Don't let it bother you.

Answer 2

I understand your frustration. You bring forth a good, solid argument (that saying something "is natural" doesn't make it either good nor bad) and you get responses from people who are too dense / lazy to even look up what the "appeal to nature" fallacy is. Let alone even read your description. They can't justify it. They don't even bother.

They use it because they don't even know what a fallacy is.

Also, think about it, why else would they be in the vegetarian and vegan section if not to troll people by using the most common cliches?

Why would people keep resorting to fallacies when they know they are fallacies? To p**s other people off. That simple.

And, in my personal opinion, being a vegan or not is a personal matter. I won't judge you for it.

Answer 3

they tell us its natural because

1) its in the bible

2) we have teeth that omnivores have. ie we can eat meat and plants with our teeth

3) it tastes good grilled and chicken fried ;)

and ive never heard appeal to nature, sorry.

Answer 4

We evolved as omnivores.

Answer 5

i don't know, i don't care about vegans or veggies, as long as they don't yell at me about eating meat.

Answer 6

cuz it is!

god put meat on the eath so we could eat it!

plus its cheaper to kill the animals the way we do.

just get over it and eat something!

Answer 7

Other living creatures eat meat, so why shouldn't humans?

(this is coming from a non-vegan/non-vegetarian)

Answer 8

It's actually not natural to eat meat...our intestines are longer than that of carnivorous animals and therefore the meat basically rots in our intestines. Based on this fact, one of my favorite veg quotes is:

BEEF: It's what's rotting in your colon

Answer 9

This isn't as relevant as you would probably hope, but you should watch the video on www.meat.org if you haven't already.

It's about slaughter houses.

Answer 10

because it is, plants have sentiments too.

Answer 11

Because we have the teeth for it?

Answer 12

Eating meat is not a good or bad issue.  How much might be an arguable position.  Too often good or bad is defined by those having a definite agenda.

I have not always been around you but I rather doubt that people ALWAYS tell you that it is natural to eat meat, I know that I have not, so you have started your question wifh an obvious fallacy

Answer 13

You are arguing against contextual use of a word which is ridiculous in itself. If you look at the whole argument, the "it's natual to eat meat" phrase was probably (and most often) used to counter a claim that humans are inherently or "natural" hebivores (an even bigger fallacy). The word "nartural" is used in context with the thought of a preceeding statement. Hence, the whole conversation probably follows something like this:  "Humans are natural herbivores". "No, humans are natural omnivores (hence naturally consumes meat). There is no contention of whether it is good or bad. it is merely a response.

I suspect that with your obvious zeal and bias towards the lifestyle you have chosen for yourself,(using the word "us" in the vegetarian section is a dead giveaway that you are one), any answer that may be contrary to your own beliefs is not valid. Any answer that does not fit into your preconceived mold is invalid.  That is the "natural" behaviour of zealots or fanatics. But it doesn't make it good or right either. And it is definetly not valid or acceptable when attempting to make a logical point.

Answer 14

because it is? n because they can?? OK

Answer 15

from the beginning of time people have been eating it and give us proteins and vitamins that are essential to us.

Answer 16

there is no good or bad in nature....but take a look at your teeth in the mirror...those pointy ones have a definite purpose/...

Answer 17

Carnivores have eyes in the front of their heads for the purpose of pursuing prey.  Herbivores have them on the sides in order to look out for Carnivores. Therefore Human beings have always been meat eaters and have evolved into both. We are at the top of the food chain why are you hating?!!?

Answer 18

It occurs in every element of nature, how is it not valid?

Answer 19

Science and Evolution says the start of eating meat attributed to the bigger brain and higher functions of it

and with out the addition of meat to our diet we would still be a primitive creature

eat your veggies but this is science fact ,,it dose not mean it is needed today only that it aided the development of primitive man

Answer 20

I fully understand your question, but after reading your arguments to the other answers, I see no need to bother as your mind is already made up to what answer you're looking for.

  This question should be also supplied with a list of "mutiple choice" answers you find acceptable.

  And yes, I am a meat eater ,because so far I've been able to eat them before they eat me, and hope to keep it that way.

Answer 21

Who knows!?!?! They just like to be bothersome to us veggies and vegans

Answer 22

Survival of the fittest I suppose

Answer 23

Meat Eaters are dead in mind cause they eat dead animal!  If there be any protein in it it is dead protein!  Meat Eaters don't know any better!  They lie when they say God ment for us to eat meat!

In Genesis Chapter 1:29  it says  God says: I have given ye every herb and fruit bearing seed let be thy meat!   We are custodians of animals we are not suppose to eat animals we are to care for them!  God also said:  As ye treat even the lowliest creature so I shall treat you!

Answer 24

its natural to eat meat because all humans mouths have teeth that are meant for grains and vegetables, etc.. and the mouth also has teeth meant for meat. so its natural for people to eat meat.

Answer 25

you need the calcium and protien of meat to keep you strong you dont need to eat meat all the time but twice a week would be a good balance. you also cant indulge in meat because meat isnt always good for your body but stuff like liver have iron that is very good for your body

Answer 26

Why? To once again help convience themselves that what their doing is perfectly alright, even though its causing suffering all over the world.

Answer 27

I have no idea. It isnt. Take a look at this article:

Intestinal tract length. Carnivorous animals have intestinal tracts that are 3-6x their body length, while herbivores have intestinal tracts 10-12x their body length. Human beings have the same intestinal tract ratio as herbivores.

Stomach acidity. Carnivores’ stomachs are 20x more acidic than the stomachs of herbivores. Human stomach acidity matches that of herbivores.

Saliva. The saliva of carnivores is acidic. The saliva of herbivores is alkaline, which helps pre-digest plant foods. Human saliva is alkaline.

Shape of intestines. Carnivore bowels are smooth, shaped like a pipe, so meat passes through quickly — they don’t have bumps or pockets. Herbivore bowels are bumpy and pouch-like with lots of pockets, like a windy mountain road, so plant foods pass through slowly for optimal nutrient absorption. Human bowels have the same characteristics as those of herbivores.

Fiber. Carnivores don’t require fiber to help move food through their short and smooth digestive tracts. Herbivores require dietary fiber to move food through their long and bumpy digestive tracts, to prevent the bowels from becoming clogged with rotting food. Humans have the same requirement as herbivores.

Cholesterol. Cholesterol is not a problem for a carnivore’s digestive system. A carnivore such as a cat can handle a high-cholesterol diet without negative health consequences. A human cannot. Humans have zero dietary need for cholesterol because our bodies manufacture all we need. Cholesterol is only found in animal foods, never in plant foods. A plant-based diet is by definition cholesterol-free.

Claws and teeth. Carnivores have claws, sharp front teeth capable of subduing prey, and no flat molars for chewing. Herbivores have no claws or sharp front teeth capable of subduing prey, but they have flat molars for chewing. Humans have the same characteristics as herbivores

Answer 28

I am a vegitarian. I am not like a advid like "Stop Stop DONT EAT IT!" actually i hate when people talk like that or when they ask me why i dont cause i feel like i am telling people to change their ways. But when people say that they feel bad about eating meat and dont really wwant to but they dont want to stop. so yeah

Answer 29

because it's full of iron and part of a routinely diet that's supposedly  "healthy"

Answer 30

When I tell people that I am a vegetarian, they instantly become insecure (consciously or unconsciously) about their own choices.  Most educated people know that eating meat is cruel, unhealthy, and bad for the environment.  Most people do it anyway because they are lazy, gluttonous, and addicted to the chemicals in their meat and dairy.

So when confronted with a person who has overcome her gluttony, laziness and addictions to chemicals in order to do the right thing, they feel instantly threatened and defensive.  They think I'm judging them because they are projecting their own defensiveness onto me.

Usually they will say, "I eat a lot of chicken."  I think that's supposed to make me think they are trying?  People want to believe that it's "right" to do what they do, so they use the word "natural."

And logical fallacies are commonly used in debate.  Some of them are very effective!  Look at the "bandwagon appeal."