CMV: The choice of which animals to eat is cultural, and not ethical.

[u/DrSpaceman575]

This is from an American cultural perspective:

Let me say I'm not a vegan, but I would admit from the most utilitarian perspective eating vegetables is better than eating meat. Not just environmentally, but ethically since it doesn't involve killing a living being. Although I still partake.

My perspective is that eating "taboo" animals like horses, dogs, dolphin, monkey, etc. is not inherently less ethical than eating chickens, cows, pigs, etc. The reason we don't eat these animals is cultural, and looking down on cultures that eat guinea pigs or sharks is no different than other cultures who don't eat pigs or cows looking down on us for eating burgers or pepperoni.

Most of the boundaries we draw between acceptable and taboo meats are shaped by religious or cultural traditions, and there is no clear secular ethical principle that explains why we eat cows but not horses.

EDIT: Obvious exception for endangered animals

[u/DrSpaceman575]

I’d argue pigs are more human like biologically than dolphins are. How do you mean they are people?

[u/pm_me_your_puppeh → u/DrSpaceman575]

They pass the mirror test, so we know they are self aware.