PHL 205 - CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES
EXAM 2 REVIEW
SPRING 2014

As with previous exams, a 3 x 5 card of notes is allowed.

VEGETARIANISM AND ANIMAL RIGHTS

What's the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan? What is a "lacto-ovo" vegetarian? What sort of diet did human beings evolve to eat? In other words, what sort of diet does it appear we were "designed" to eat: herbivore, carnivore or omnivore? Are there any health risks associated with eating meat, particularly the amount of meat in the typical American diet? How does the health of the typical vegetarian or vegan compare to the health of the typical meat eater? According to evidence presented in class, can a person get all the nutrition they need to be healthy without eating meat? What nutritional deficits if any, are there in a vegan diet?

How are the animals used to produce the meat you buy in a supermarket or eat in a restaurant typically treated? Are there any arguments against eating "free range" animals which are treated humanely? How does meat-eating affect the environment and consumption of natural resources? What is the alien analogy? What is the pet analogy? What is speciesism? What is the moral principle of "equal consideration of interests"? What are some arguments are there in favor of eating meat discussed in class or in handouts? How might one respond to the argument that animals eat each other, therefore it’s OK for us to eat them? What response could one make to the argument that it’s natural for human beings to eat meat, therefore it is morally permissible?