Dr. Gilbert - do you see compassion as something we give only to other humans? what about the family dog? is it okay to kick the family dog or not comfort the family dog when he/she isn't feeling well? if you give compassion to the family dog because, as you said, we share a lot with other animals - we share sentience - the ability to feel, including pain, care about our friends and family, and the awareness of what is happening to and around us - why do you not give compassion to pigs or chickens or cows or calves? they are sentient too? why do you love your dog and eat a baby pig? why do you draw lines between I give compassion to family dogs but not these other animals? and when you do that, what is the difference between that prejudice and racism or sexism? the process of drawing a line is the same. what would happen in this world if people like you promoted compassion for all sentient beings?
On Jan 8, 2014 beth wrote:
Dr. Gilbert - do you see compassion as something we give only to other humans? what about the family dog? is it okay to kick the family dog or not comfort the family dog when he/she isn't feeling well? if you give compassion to the family dog because, as you said, we share a lot with other animals - we share sentience - the ability to feel, including pain, care about our friends and family, and the awareness of what is happening to and around us - why do you not give compassion to pigs or chickens or cows or calves? they are sentient too? why do you love your dog and eat a baby pig? why do you draw lines between I give compassion to family dogs but not these other animals? and when you do that, what is the difference between that prejudice and racism or sexism? the process of drawing a line is the same. what would happen in this world if people like you promoted compassion for all sentient beings?