The idea being debated
A very common saying: "eating meat is natural." For many people, if something is natural, then it's right.
Sometimes animal advocates reply: "No, eating meat isn't natural for humans." The author thinks there's a better answer: even if it were natural, that wouldn't show it's right.
What do people mean by "natural"?
The word "natural" gets used in several ways. Let's look at each one.
1. "The human body can eat meat." The human body can also do lots of wrong things, like attack someone. Being able to do something doesn't make it right.
2. "It's in our instincts." We also have urges toward violence or jealousy. That doesn't mean acting on them is always right. We're able to think before we act.
3. "Animals eat each other in nature." First, many animals don't eat other animals. Second, nature also has stealing, attacks, and animals killing babies, sometimes their own. Nobody uses that to justify doing the same.
4. "We're at the top of the food chain." Being at the top just means having power over others. Having power doesn't give you the right to use it however you want.
5. "Natural" meaning "right." Then the sentence becomes "eating meat is right because it's right." That doesn't prove anything.
The conclusion
There doesn't seem to be any link between what's natural and what's fair. Diseases are natural, and we fight them. Glasses aren't natural, and nobody thinks wearing them is wrong.
In short
- "Natural" can mean several things, and none of them proves that something is right.
- Nature also has things we all think are wrong.
- Natural and fair are different subjects.