An Argument Against Factory Farming Essay, Research Paper

The world becomes a sad place when we allow animals to be factory-farmed, treating

them inhumanely to be used for our pleasure. Yes, hogs are mentally inferior to humans

but that gives us no right to force these horrible conditions on them. God made humans to

have dominion over animals, with the proof in Genesis 1:26. Therefore, it is my opinion

that we are supposed to protect animals in the same manner as we would protect a small

child. Rush Limbaugh makes the argument that factory farming is acceptable because it is

positive for economic growth. However, as in various cases greed is the source of many

evils. The idea of ?bigger and better things? and the extra dollar ultimately molds

society?s morals. People like Limbaugh who advocate factory farming for economic

growth and, at the same time, argue that cruelty to animals is wrong are showing

inconsistencies in their reasoning. It is hard to be on both sides of the spectrum. One

cannot be liberal and conservative or pro-choice and pro-life, so how is it possible that one

can advocate the cruelty to animals while at the same time disapproving it? The value of a

dollar is shown in the morals of these people — that it is justifiable to do wrong as long as

it pays well. The priorities of such people are in the wrong order. Economic growth is not

a reason for us to abuse these animals, we must respect them, just as we, ideally, must

respect all of God?s creatures.

Limbaugh also argues that animals have no language or intelligence. It is true that

we cannot communicate to hogs through the means by which we communicate to other

humans however, they are able to relay certain messages to other hogs, which shows a

type of language. Some animal rights activists believe that just because animals do not

have the same language as people that they have none. It is apparent that many people

believe that because animals cannot communicate with humans they have no language at

all, perhaps it is that we do not and will not take the time to become aware of their

languages. The same can be said about the hogs? intelligence. In the video, ?We are all

Noah,? there are apparent behavioral differences between the hogs in a healthy

environment and those which are held in the confines of factory farming. There is little

room for physical and mental growth. There is a type of arrogance and ignorance shown

on our part. We are blind to the ingenuity of animals, labeling them, as does Limbaugh, as

having no intelligence. It has become a cultural norm for us to be apathetic to factory

farming. I am also guilty of being swayed by this norm — I like pork just as much as the

next person. I actually was not aware of the conditions of factory farming until I did some

research. And now I ask: why didn?t I know? I think it is because we have been

conditioned to demean the worth of hogs so we can use them for our benefit. Society, as

a whole, is not aware of much beyond what is on their plate. Factory farmers do not

make their practices known. Instead it is animal rights activists who discover the

conditions and expose them to the public, allowing us to make our own decisions

concerning the issue.

In my opinion, factory farming is the result of a chain. Consumers obviously want

low prices on the products that they buy; retailers must supply what the customer wants

in order to stay in business therefore demanding more products; manufacturers and

farmers must be able to produce more products to satisfy the retailers. Humane farming is

too slow to meet the demands needed and thus, there is factory farming. However, this is

expensive. Farmers, in order to keep their own costs down and their profits up, create the

horrible conditions in which these hogs are kept.

2. Once again the lust for luxury drives society. The American Dream is now defined

by what you have and its price. This recent, highly materialistic definition is undermining

the importance of family, religion, community, and the natural world. And as the morals

of this country are shadowed by a monetary giant, our economy is booming. Is there any

possible solution that would keep our current economic system in good shape while

leaving consumers with the right priorities? Ideally, yes; however this greed is fed by the

media and its want for profit. In the consumer economic model, there is the idea that

portrays that the fabric of culture should reflect what is presented in the constant

advertisements that surround us — the importance of buying. We, as a society, have been

misguided by advertisers and it might be too hard for us to change. The impact of the

media is very large and very affective, focusing on our desire to have more than our

neighbors. We are constantly fed with the idea that materials make a better life. This

leaves our judgments about spending clouded with misconception about responsible

consumption. In order for us to consume responsibly, we must first be aware of the

problem. According to the Economic Consumer model, happiness is the result of

satisfying the want for material goods. Paul Krugman disagrees with this point in his

article arguing that ?you can?t really buy happiness, certainly not for society as a whole.?

The problem is that happiness cannot be sold in a store and yet so many ads try to portray

this, causing society to view luxuries as necessities. It becomes a cycle as we constantly

try to prove our worth to the community by buying the newest and most updated items,

promoted by never-ending advertising. We then see others who have better items and we

must outdo them. Thus, we compete by purchasing more and more often spending more

than our income. How can we measure the worth of our happiness by material

possessions, which are, in themselves, transitory? The logic of this is obviously expressed

in the media and has extremely large influences on us as a society.

It must become our objective, as consumers, to understand the problems of the

current economic system. We must confront the materialistic permutation of the

American Dream and propose positive alternatives. Consumers must recognize the

correlation between their choices and the survival of the planet. Governments must

establish incentives for corporations and individuals to do what is right. Privately owned

manufacturers and farmers must alter the way their products are produced, the amount of

chemicals that are used and the kinds of testing that is done. Although these are all

necessary in helping our economy move towards the right direction, the solution begins in

the home. Parents must teach their children the fascination of imagination, satisfaction of

service and the importance of stewardship to nature. These things are absent in the family

of David and Nancy, presented in ?Rigor and Responsibility.? Through this example, it

becomes apparent that many people justify greed, and let us call it what it is, with excuses

of bringing the family together or a chance for relaxation. Families must learn that

materials and wealth do not equal happiness. When we do this, we will be able to examine

our values, set our priorities and slowly begin to have an economic system that is

beneficial to our prosperity and soothing to our consciences.

34d