The common view
Most people think it's wrong to step in when one animal hunts another in the wild. This chapter looks at the arguments for that.
"It's not an ethical issue"
Saying "predation isn't an ethical issue" and, at the same time, "it's wrong to step in" is a contradiction. If we can ask whether something should be done or not, it's an ethical issue.
"The predator isn't to blame"
The predator not being to blame doesn't mean the prey's suffering doesn't matter. A kid who hurts someone by accident isn't to blame either, and we still protect the victim.
"We can't end all predation"
Not being able to end all of it is no reason not to reduce suffering where we can.
"The predator dies if it doesn't hunt"
This argument only looks at the predator's death and forgets the prey, who are far more numerous. Besides, stepping in doesn't always mean killing the predator, and in the future it might be possible to make predation unnecessary.
The double standard
When humans are at risk of being attacked by predators, almost everyone thinks it's right to step in. Predation is also heavily controlled when the goal is to protect livestock or endangered species. The objection only comes up when the goal is the good of the animals themselves.
In short
- Predation is indeed an ethical issue.
- The predator not being to blame doesn't make the prey's suffering unimportant.
- We already step in on predation for human reasons; the double standard shows up when the goal is the animals.