Why Not Eat Octopus?

[Qlip]

Charred octopus is really tasty, it brings out more flavor and helps with the rubbery texture. As far as sentience, I have no qualms with eating one until I can have a conversation with one, but I am happy when people err on the side of empathy in their food choices.

 

[NancyD]

So, if you don't feel a personal connection through conversation or something interpersonal, you cannot factor in the others' experience?

 

[Mole]

Octopus are begging to be eaten as calamari.

Try Thai-spiced Calamari Recipe - Taste.com.au - delicious!

 

[GarrotTheThief]

Octopus are begging to be eaten as calamari.

Try Thai-spiced Calamari Recipe - Taste.com.au - delicious!

On this we can agree Mole, for I am a huge fan of the calamari being of hellenic origin, although I will say, Vas has made me think twice about it.

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

Tis not kosher.

#theend

 

[á´…eparted]

If a creature is sentient, they want to live and feel pain when they die. That is the only relevant factor. There are humans who are severely mentally challenged, but we don't think that means there is no issue hurting or killing them. It's a sentience issue - not an intelligence issue. So, yea, if you're eating animals, it makes no difference which one you ate - except to the animal. They all feel the pain. When people start trying to factor in intelligence and personality, it is just skewing the topic and extremely odd rationalization.

It might not be logically rational, but it doesn't have to be because it's an emotional reasoning, and in this context that's ok. It's a personal decision (meaning, for one individual within themsevles) they're making.

For some, it simply makes them feel poor or guilty to eat something that they regard as "higher" or more intelligent. It's usually equated with higher value and a higher likelyhood of self-awareness on par with humans. If they feel a connection in some sort to it it's going to disuade them. It's not rational, but it doesn't need to be.

 

[Bush]

I'm sure intelligence has something to do with it. But if so, it must be selective. People eat pigs, and they're pretty intelligent.

Found a good discussion on the 'selective' thing.

A recent study suggests that an animal’s perceived intelligence is the main factor in determining whether or not we will be disgusted by the thought of eating it.

The key word here, though, is “perceived”.

According to this study, people tend to ascribe lower levels of mental functioning to animals that they are about to eat.

So do we eat tuna because tuna aren’t very intelligent, or do we tell ourselves that tuna aren’t very intelligent so that we can eat them?

Pigs aren't smart, if we define smartness by e.g. "lack of propensity to roll around in mud." There, done. They're now okay to eat. Sweet, juicy justification.

 

[NancyD]

It might not be logically rational, but it doesn't have to be because it's an emotional reasoning, and in this context that's ok. It's a personal decision (meaning, for one individual within themsevles) they're making.

For some, it simply makes them feel poor or guilty to eat something that they regard as "higher" or more intelligent. It's usually equated with higher value and a higher likelyhood of self-awareness on par with humans. If they feel a connection in some sort to it it's going to disuade them. It's not rational, but it doesn't need to be.

If you're going to go that far, what needs to be rational? We can just make emotional choices (reasonings?) based on preferences. However, I have a feeling this is when people start to say, "O no. You can't make emotional choices here. Only there." The point I was trying to make is it's really not a personal choice if you factor in another sentient being is involved. So, one person is making a choice that effects another sentient being.

 

[á´…eparted]

If you're going to go that far, what needs to be rational? We can just make emotional choices based on preferences. However, I have a feeling this is when people start to say, "O no. You can't make emotional choices here. Only there."

I don't know? I can't answer such a vauge question.

 

[NancyD]

Found a good discussion on the 'selective' thing.



Pigs aren't smart, if we define smartness by e.g. "lack of propensity to roll around in mud." There, done. They're now okay to eat. Sweet, juicy justification.

I don't agree with the theory that intelligence that mimics a human's is a factor. However, for people who think like that, scientists say pigs are as intelligent as 5 year old children.

But I like your comment. It proves my point.

 

[GarrotTheThief]

I like octopus with lemon and charred. It's very healthy. I'll admit I've thought about not eating meat, but octopus will be last on the list....it's delicious on less you get a nasty kind. Lemon sauce with oregano, Greek style, is best.

 

[BadOctopus]

I like octopus with lemon and charred. It's very healthy. I'll admit I've thought about not eating meat, but octopus will be last on the list....it's delicious on less you get a nasty kind. Lemon sauce with oregano, Greek style, is best.

Wellp... guess we can't be friends.

 

[GarrotTheThief]

Wellp... guess we can't be friends.

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Come on...please..I promise to change my ways........... :h uh:

 

[Qlip]

So, if you don't feel a personal connection through conversation or something interpersonal, you cannot factor in the others' experience?

I have the capability and tendency to factor all experience, including that of celery and stars. I would surely starve if that was my rule.

 

[NancyD]

I have the capability and tendency to factor all experience, including that of celery and stars. I would surely starve if that was my rule.

Are you about to say plants have feelings? Please don't.

Plants are single sentient organisms. They respond to sun, water, but they don't feel pain, emotions, etc..

Animals have nervous systems and feel pain just as we do.

I always feel so sad whenever I feel that needs to be said.

 

[Qlip]

Are you about to say plants have feelings? Please don't.

Plants are single sentient organisms. They respond to sun, water, but they don't feel pain, emotions, etc..

Animals have nervous systems and feel pain just as we do.

I always feel so sad whenever I feel that needs to be said.

I really don't know why, or exactly what you're arguing with me about. Apparently things that I may say. Feel free to carry on. And don't worry, I won't cannibalize you, but only because we're the same E-type.

 

[NancyD]

I really don't know why, or exactly what you're arguing with me about. Apparently things that I may say. Feel free to carry on. And don't worry, I won't cannibalize you, but only because we're the same E-type.

You said, "I would surely starve if that was my rule." What does that mean then? Usually, it goes down that path.

I don't see it as arguing - debating instead, but it's ok.

 

[Qlip]

You said, "I would surely starve if that was my rule." What does that mean then?

It means that I understand enough about the world that doing the simplest things, like living, causes wide-spread pain and suffering, though maybe not directly, as in biting and digesting. At some point, as a person aware of this, I have to decide that you can't help but trample others, but I must find a way to mitigate my effects and honor others.

 

[Lexicon]

Squid's still okay, right?

Humboldt squids are jerks. They've attacked divers & attempted to consume them.

I'd eat squid all day long.

 

[BadOctopus]

[MENTION=5159]Lexicon[/MENTION] Humboldt squids ARE jerks! They're like the raptors of the sea.