Todd Asked: Do you think that the abuse of animals, even by those who consume meat from and support CAFOs, is a reflection of a morally degraded society as a whole? Have we become complacent to cruelty?
Before I address your question directly, I wanted to mention a few things about your post. There is a strong correlation between animal abuse and human abuse. There is not necessarily a causation there. While animal abuse is in itself abhorrent, it is not necessarily indicative of a willingness to abuse others. And the abuse of others is likewise, I think, independent of animal abuse.
The unfortunate answer to both of your questions is a yes. Yes, the morally despicable abuse of animals must be a reflection of a morally degraded society. Absent this, the abuse would not be allowed to continue. On the other hand, however, I am not sure. This connection rests on the fact that people understand this abuse is happening. It would be unfair to say that society is morally degraded because of this abuse if the majority of the society does not comprehend the abuse is occurring.
We have, though, as a society, become numb to cruelty, and I will blame everyone's favorite scapegoat, the fourth estate. It is not only the press of course, media in general has some blame to account for. The press showing repeated clips of violence on the television, and movies and other media displaying gratuitous instances of violence and cruelty.
Question: To what degree can we blame institutions such as the media and the press, or must we take some responsibility upon ourselves?
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