Chapter 28 postscript

★Re-examine the relationship between humans and animals In the process of human evolution, human beings need external assistance to let him realize his potential to the extreme, and in this process, human beings also create new ecological roles for the evolution of all animals that assist him.When these animals are well adapted, they become what we call domestic animals.Now, we have at least realized part of our potential, and then, let us take these companions raised by us to step towards the unimaginable future together. Humans and animals have indeed always been allies; we have had a long journey together.Livestock couldn't survive without our help (which is what livestock farming is all about), and we wouldn't be who we are without our livestock.Is this an inescapable fate or destiny?Or is it possible for human beings to satisfy their own needs as they grow in intelligence and creativity?

I don't think there's much debate about the fact that no animal around us, wild or domestic, can match our ingenuity.In terms of intelligence, humans are indeed superior to other animals; although this status may be only temporary.Will we evolve into smarter animals in the future, or will we be replaced by another creature?Human beings have always regarded intelligence as the only standard of value.So long as beings are less intelligent than we are, we value them less, and deserve less; we suppose them to be creatures with few wants.Personally, I believe that humans are all wrong.All animals, wild or domesticated, have their innate needs, but we have been ignoring them, giving only what we think they need, and only in amounts that will satisfy us their own needs, not theirs.With our own needs and values, we direct the evolution of the livestock in our care.The way we treat wild animals and their habitats is completely selfish.

★Wholehearted care In addition, such evaluation criteria also have their unavoidable shortcomings.Our present grazing and animal husbandry epitomizes our brutality; the slaughter of animals and the consumption of their flesh is but the smallest of these vices.Most abhorrent of all is the way we treat domestic animals from birth to death.Animals need natural food, not chemical concoctions; they need space; some of them are very social and need space to interact with each other.When transporting or slaughtering animals, consideration should be given to how the animal feels.What we lack is neither technology nor space; what we really lack is care and compassion for animals.Livestock are forced to live in the environment we designed for them, and perhaps in the near future we will destroy ourselves with no room for maneuver.We have total control over the physical, chemical and moral environment in which we and other animals live.It would be foolish to think that we can stay out of it.We must take responsibility for our actions, and many life forms are sharing this responsibility for us.

By now we should be very clear about the obligations humans owe to dogs, cats, horses, pigs, chickens, cows, and other animals that have entered the pantheon of domestic animals.We should recognize their value and treat them well.Before becoming more loving and considerate, we should also understand the natural needs of other animals and provide them with what they need.We do it not because they are less intelligent than we are, but because it is what we are supposed to do and the best way to ensure our own survival.There is no other way to prove that we are really as smart as we think we are.If we can't, or don't want to, maybe our self-image of being smart is just a smoke screen; there's a difference, after all, between being smart and manipulative, and genuine wisdom.

(End of the book)