Does Ethical Meat Eating Maximize Utility?

Abstract

In this paper, I argue that utilitarian vegetarians are obligated to substi tute for some of the commercially harvested vegetables they consume the meat of grazing animals and any home-grown vegetables they can pro duce. The argument in brief is that such a policy would generate more satisfaction of desire in humans and animals than either our present prac tices or universal vegetarianism would generate. I first define my terms, make clear my background assumptions, state the argument, and discuss its premises. Then I summarize the utilitarian case for vegetarianism, construct a response on behalf of utilitarian vege tarians, and show how the response fails to make the case for vegetarian ism. Finally, I show that, absent specific evidence of disutility, the prac tice of eating a small supply of grazing animals coupled with an other wise universal vegetarianism will maximize the probability of achieving the most favorable balance of pleasure over pain.