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Should you go vegan? Should you go vegan?
Eating animal products is ethical Eating animal products is ethical
Eating animal products is unethical Eating animal products is unethical
Humans need meat in their diet Humans need meat in their diet
We support the animal species by farming them We support the animal species by farming them
It is ethical to eat meat as secondary consumers It is ethical to eat meat as secondary consumers
Meat has a place in Culture and Tradition Meat has a place in Culture and Tradition
Animals do not have souls Animals do not have souls
Eating meat causes animal cruelty Eating meat causes animal cruelty
Eating meat has devastating effects on the environment Eating meat has devastating effects on the environment
Not eating meat could prevent world hunger Not eating meat could prevent world hunger
The meat industry exploits migrant workers The meat industry exploits migrant workers
Eating meat can lead to health problems Eating meat can lead to health problems
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Should you go vegan?
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Eating animal products is ethical

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Humans need meat in their diet

As omnivores we biologically demand meat in order to fuel our bodies and gain a sufficient amount of protein
Health Warning Misleading
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Context

For many years it had been widely accepted that meat was an integral part of the human diet. However, as understanding and consideration for the animals sprung rapidly (the vegan trend quadrupled in the 5 years between 2012 and 2017), the suggestion that we shouldn’t eat meat made people sceptical about what was so bad about meat. Consumption of meat continues to increase however, and don't we need it?

The Argument

Meat is a part of the human diet and has been for thousands of years. Meat allows us to maintain stable weight, grow muscle, fuel our immune system, digest effectively, produce energy, have healthy skin and bones, improve vision, improve mental health and is good for cognitive function.[1][2]

Counter arguments

Although meat is useful to us and good to have in our diet, it is not necessary. Many individuals and even entire cultures do not eat animal products. We can lead healthy and long lives just as well without eating animal products as with, so health is not an excuse to eat them.

Premises

[P1] Animal products have significant health benefits. [P2] Eating animal products help us to live long lives, so we should eat them.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Humans can live long and healthy lives without animal products, so this is not a reason to eat them.

References

  1. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/meat-nutrition/
  2. https://www.mrmeatmarkets.ca/9-reasons-why-eating-meat-is-good-for-your-health/
This page was last edited on Wednesday, 5 Feb 2020 at 12:00 UTC

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