Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA (Post 1078851)

If you met someone who eats dogs and cats, would you feel judgemental or would you just shrug and say, "Meh, to each her own?"

And if you *are* judgemental of people who eat dogs and cats, then why wouldn't you expect vegetarians to be judgemental of meat-eaters who eat other animal species, such as cows, pigs, and chickens?

If someone eats an animal who has died of natural causes, I wouldn't feel judgemental because the person didn't orchestrate that animal's death. However, when someone supports the killing of animals, especially when there are healthful ways to live without doing so, then I'm more likely to feel judgemental (even of myself).

Being free from critique and judgement certainly feels nice, and judgementalism *can* lead to horrible situations (when those who are judgemental decide to physically hurt people with whom they disagree), but judgementalism has also helped reduce or end numerous atrocities (slavery, child labor, capital punishment, etc.), and so I don't consider judgementalism to be a foe. Passing judgement on an action can be an inspiration for change.

And frankly, in my opinion eating animals is a lot worse than being judgemental.

Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA (Post 1078851)

If you met someone who eats dogs and cats, would you feel judgemental or would you just shrug and say, "Meh, to each her own?"

And if you *are* judgemental of people who eat dogs and cats, then why wouldn't you expect vegetarians to be judgemental of meat-eaters who eat other animal species, such as cows, pigs, and chickens?

If someone eats an animal who has died of natural causes, I wouldn't feel judgemental because the person didn't orchestrate that animal's death. However, when someone supports the killing of animals, especially when there are healthful ways to live without doing so, then I'm more likely to feel judgemental (even of myself).

Being free from critique and judgement certainly feels nice, and judgementalism *can* lead to horrible situations (when those who are judgemental decide to physically hurt people with whom they disagree), but judgementalism has also helped reduce or end numerous atrocities (slavery, child labor, capital punishment, etc.), and so I don't consider judgementalism to be a foe. Passing judgement on an action can be an inspiration for change.

And frankly, in my opinion eating animals is a lot worse than being judgemental.

Originally Posted by Pedestrian (Post 1079720)

How are feelings a lower evolutionary development when... we're the only ones who have developed them to this extent?

Originally Posted by Pedestrian (Post 1079725)

Yeah, that didn't answer my question at all. We're the only species to have developed such a complex system of emotions. If we're the paradigm, then how is this development a "lesser" aspect of life?

Originally Posted by Pedestrian (Post 1079729)

I was under the impression you meant it was based on her feelings, hence the misunderstanding.

Pain isn't a lesser development. It's actually very important to the preservation of our bodies. Research CIPA. Not having any sensation of pain brings about a host of real life complications and actually puts you at severe risk. Pain is the sensation that tells our minds "stop doing that, it's bad".

Originally Posted by Il Duce (Post 1079732)

it's still a basic survival defense

only because we are so clever, we use it to detect medical ailments

Originally Posted by Pedestrian (Post 1079736)

Patients with CIPA are at severe risk of anything from infection to brain damage. Not feeling the pain does not mean you have not been injured. You may have a wound, broken bone, or concussion that needs immediate medical attention, and not know it. CIPA patients regularly have to check their bodies for injury, from scrapes to burns to biting their tongues off in their sleep. I am getting the impression that you think we should develop immortality, rather than insensitivity to pain.