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economists have a hard enough time with human time inconsistency, I wonder how we'd even begin to evaluate the preferences of animals
We have no standard other than revealed preferences in either case.
When in doubt, treat them better, because you’re the one forcing them to live a particular way.
Agree... other things equal, treat animals better. But I just think concepts of animal welfare are too fraught with philosophical issues that it makes sense to me to accept a fairly wide latitude of human behavior towards animals, as long as there isn't deliberate cruelty or negligence.
Is it deliberate cruelty to buy animal products that are made in ways you consider cruel?
The vast majority of people do that everyday.
I don't know. As someone who enjoys meat I can't honestly tell anyone that their utility is not worth the suffering of an animal. All I can say is that, other things equal, I'd prefer that their utility be derived from less animal suffering.
Another question that people should think about more: when is it appropriate to kill or imprison a human being in order to stop animal suffering?
I'd prefer that their utility be derived from less animal suffering.
Do you buy humane certified or some other kind of improved treatment products? If not, I’m curious what you think you mean by that stated preference.
when is it appropriate to kill or imprison a human being in order to stop animal suffering?
I agree that this is an interesting question. It’s an interesting question when applied to stopping human suffering too.
Do you buy humane certified or some other kind of improved treatment products? If not, I’m curious what you think you mean by that stated preference.
To the extent that I can / have awareness of it. I will buy humane certified products despite a price difference if both options are in front of me. If I'm at a grocery store and only one option is in front of me, I usually don't check what I'm putting into my cart. And I don't do any verification as to the claims of the certified products.
And I don't do any verification as to the claims of the certified products
That’s a tough one. It’s really implausible to meaningfully evaluate the claims. My feeling is that making those choices is more about signaling consumer preferences to producers.
Pet owners also don’t require work.
They should still hold themselves to the standard, even if it goes untested, that their pets would choose to stay with them.