Is vegetarianism and veganism about animal welfare or moral superiority?

[MadamSarcastra]

I posted this pic on Pi Day, figured I'd post it again here.... seemed befitting.

 

[beancounter]

All creatures have an intrinsic right to their existence, period. Nuances need not apply.

 

[Blobbenstein]

aren't rights human constructs, unless you believe in some sort of higher justice, as in some religion?

 

[Capstan]

aren't rights human constructs, unless you believe in some sort of higher justice, as in some religion?

If there is a higher justice, does it require human religion to give it authority? Without human belief, can power exist? Can rights be a natural function of the universe, without regard to human opinion?

 

[Blobbenstein]

the concept of rights, I feel, needs a sentient being for it to exist....maybe there could be right and wrong without it, I don't know; anyway I do believe in God, so rights and wrongs have always existed, as far as I believe.....and so 'rights' along with it.....it's a God construct.

 

[Capstan]

the concept of rights, I feel, needs a sentient being for it to exist....maybe there could be right and wrong without it, I don't know; anyway I do believe in God, so rights and wrongs have always existed, as far as I believe.....and so 'rights' along with it.....it's a God construct.

I feel pretty much the same way. As humans, I think the best we can say is, we can grasp the concepts of rights and justice, but I don't think we can necessarily say, we invented the ideas! I think we've simply tapped into something larger than ourselves.