Who taught me that animals were put on this Earth for food? Who taught me to disrespect animals and view them as mere commodities? Who stole my compassion, my empathy and my conscience? Who lied to me? Who instilled this vicious mindset of human-to-animal exploitation as standard operating procedure?
Interpretation
The quote questions societal teachings about humanity's relationship with animals, criticizing the view of animals as mere commodities.
Gary Yourofsky's quote challenges the normative beliefs that animals exist solely for human consumption, urging individuals to reflect on the societal conditioning that breeds a lack of empathy and compassion towards animals. It reflects an ongoing ethical debate about animal rights, urging a deeper understanding of our responsibilities towards other living beings and questioning the moral implications of exploiting animals for food and resources.
In practice
During a discussion on ethical eating at a community event.
It is in the union of the Ascending and the Descending currents that harmony is found, and not in any war between the two. It seems that only when the Ascending and the Descending are united can both be saved. And if we - if you and I - do not contribute to this union, then it is very possible that not only will we destroy the only Earth we have, we will forfeit the only heaven we might otherwise embrace.
I am forced to get my living by the labour of my hand; and the sweat of my brow... for bitter bread, earned under the frowns of some who have no natural or divine right to be above me, and entirely owe their grandeur and honor to grinding the faces of the poor.
The central belief of every moron is that he is the victim of a mysterious conspiracy against his common rights and true deserts.
Do you think there is any other means of achieving progress except through Rajas?
It is well sometimes to half understand a poem in the same manner that we half understand the world.
I am in truth the Steppenwolf that I often call myself; that beast astray that finds neither home nor joy nor nourishment in a world that is strange and incomprehensible to him.
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