Perceptions, shaped by socially constructed schemas, regulate our empathy and food choices.

Our perceptions determine our reality. We react differently to foods based on how we perceive them, not because of inherent differences in the foods themselves. For example, when we think we're eating dog meat, we feel disgusted, even if it's actually beef. This is because we have different schemas, or mental frameworks, for dogs versus cows. We see dogs as companions and cows as food. Our schemas cause us to avoid picturing the living animal when we eat cows but to vividly imagine dogs when confronted with dog meat. This leads to feelings of empathy for the dog but apathy toward the cow. We are not born with these schemas; they are socially constructed. Psychic numbing allows us to disconnect from our empathy for animals we eat through defense mechanisms like denial, avoidance, and rationalization. This protects us from moral discomfort over eating animals. Though psychic numbing likely varies across cultures, people have always avoided eating certain animals and used rituals and beliefs to justify meat consumption, suggesting some level of unease. By exposing the invisible system that enables us to unknowingly distance ourselves from the suffering of farmed animals, we can reconnect with our empathy and make more ethical choices.

Carnism, an unexamined ideology, enables violent animal consumption by remaining invisible.

Carnism is the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. It is an ideology that causes people to eat animals without thinking about what they are doing or why. Carnism makes the choice to eat animals appear natural and inevitable rather than being a choice stemming from a set of beliefs. The reason carnism has remained unnamed and unexamined for so long is that dominant ideologies stay entrenched by remaining invisible. Naming and questioning carnism has been difficult because it is considered the normal, mainstream way of life rather than being seen as an ideology. Carnism depends on extensive violence in order to maintain the current level of animal production and profits. This violence causes distress when witnessed, so carnism uses defense mechanisms to enable compassionate people to support cruel practices without realizing it. Studies show humans have an aversion to killing, even in war, and need to be desensitized to violence. Likewise, the violence of carnism is hidden from public view through physical invisibility in animal production.

Industrial animal farming inflicts immense cruelty, hidden from consumers' awareness.

The meat, dairy and egg industries subject billions of animals to extreme confinement and violence each year. Most animals live short, painful lives in crowded factory farms where they cannot engage in natural behaviors. Many suffer from disease, injury and psychological disorders caused by intensive confinement and stressful conditions. Standard industry practices include castration, dehorning and beak trimming without pain relief; extreme overcrowding; unsanitary conditions; and inhumane transport and slaughter. Animals are viewed as production units, not sentient beings. This cruel reality remains invisible to most consumers. The industries go to great lengths to shield the public from seeing how animals are raised and killed. If people witnessed the suffering inherent in meat, egg and dairy production, many would likely be unable to continue consuming these products. When made aware of the violence, some consumers opt for "humane" animal products. However, almost all animals still endure painful mutilations and end up at the same slaughterhouses. There is no truly humane way to exploit and kill animals for food when it is unnecessary. The only way to withdraw support from this harmful system is to adopt a plant-based diet. Informed consumers have the power to reduce immense animal suffering by the choices they make.

Animal agriculture's hidden costs wreak havoc on human health, animal welfare, and environment.

The production of meat, eggs, and dairy has many hidden costs that negatively impact humans, animals, and the environment. Workers in animal agriculture facilities face dangerous conditions and often become desensitized to violence. Residents near these facilities can be exposed to pollution that causes health issues. Consumers ingest contaminants like feces, antibiotics, and hormones in animal products, increasing disease risk. Taxpayer dollars subsidize cleanup of factory farm pollution. Powerful meat corporations influence legislation through lobbying and the "revolving door," prioritizing profits over public health and safety. Animal agriculture degrades the environment through air and water pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gases. While the realities of factory farming are disturbing, bringing awareness to its impacts is the first step toward positive change. There are healthy, ethical alternatives that are better for people, animals, and the planet.

Authority and tradition condition us to accept animal consumption, disconnecting us from empathy.

Eating animals is a choice, not a necessity. Yet we are conditioned from childhood to believe it is normal, natural and necessary to consume meat, dairy and eggs. These myths allow us to morally disengage from the suffering involved. In reality, plant-based diets easily provide sufficient protein and nutrition. Authority figures in government, media, science and education reinforce these myths, obscuring the violent realities of animal agriculture. Social pressures make veganism seem difficult and abnormal. But with compassion and an open mind, we can move beyond these myths. By questioning authority and thinking critically, we can take responsibility for our choices. We can reconnect with our empathy for animals. We can choose freely, not out of blind habit, but from our deepest values. There are better paths forward, toward justice and sustainability, if we have the courage to forge them.

Carnism distorts reality, enabling animal harm and suppressing empathy through psychological schemas.

Carnism is a system that distorts our perception of reality. It causes us to view animals as objects, abstractions, and dichotomized categories. Objectification allows us to see animals as things rather than living beings. Deindividualization causes us to view animals as a group rather than individuals. Dichotomization puts animals into rigid categories like edible/inedible. These distortions enable us to harm animals without feeling empathy or disgust. Technology reinforces these distortions by treating animals like objects on an assembly line. It also distances us from the process of turning animals into food. When technology fails to completely hide animals' origins, we can feel disgusted. To manage this discomfort, we rationalize it away by blaming textures, health risks etc. Carnism relies on a psychological system called the carnistic schema. This is the lens through which we interpret information about eating animals. It filters out facts that don't align with carnism. The absurdities of the system only become clear when we dismantle this schema. Carnism is vulnerable because it depends on us suspending our empathy and living a lie. We can escape the system by reclaiming our empathy. This will help us transition to a more just world.

Witnessing suffering fuels empathy, challenging oppressive systems and inspiring societal change.

Witnessing suffering can spark a profound journey of compassion and transformation. When a person bears witness, an emotional bond forms with the experiences of others, validating their pain and fostering empathy. This emotional awakening can chip away at the consciousness gap that allows violent ideologies, like carnism, to thrive. Carnism, like other dominant systems, preserves its power by preventing widespread exposure to its atrocities. However, the act of witnessing is a powerful deterrent. It has been the driving force behind significant social justice movements throughout history, ranging from civil rights to animal rights. If enough people bear witness to these injustices, the balance of power can potentially shift. Being a witness, however, requires courage. It means consciously choosing to feel pain, to deviate from the societal norm. Yet, this brave choice allows individuals to grow and enhance their sense of self. It is suggested that simple actions such as adopting a vegan diet, supporting advocacy initiatives or seeking education on essential issues, and sharing it with others, are some ways to practice witnessing. Small acts of witnessing can potentially impact on a larger scale. The resilience of humanity lies in the ability to exemplify compassion. When people dare to open their hearts to the suffering of others, they contribute to the creation of a more just and peaceful world.

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Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows - Book Summary (2024)

Melanie Joy, PhD

In this engrossing book, Melanie Joy explores the invisible system or belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals and not others. It's an exploration of 'carnism', the belief system that has shaped our perception of the behavior extremely resistant to change.

Key Ideas

Significant suffering is inflicted upon farm animals in today's industrial agriculture, even as their basic physical needs are catered for. Recognizing the emotional necessities of these creatures is essential. As with humans, these needs have formed and developed over millions of years.

A prime illustration of emotional requirements is the bond between a mother and its offspring, intrinsic to all mammals. In the 1950s, baby rhesus monkeys were experimented with, revealing these primates favored a soft doll imitation of their mother over a rigid, metal one, despite the metallic version being the source of their sustenance. This debunked the previous belief that fulfilling only physical needs was adequate for children.

Similarly, dairy industries widely ignore this emotional bonding need, separating calves from their mothers for milking purposes. It is crucial to acknowledge the pervasive suffering experienced by billions of farm animals and strive towards its reduction. This necessitates a shift from this exploitative mindset.

The purpose of this piece is to stimulate a critical approach towards such prevalent issues, and encourage engagement in carving a reality that breeds more compassion for these animals.

Final Summary:

"Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows" by Melanie Joy is a seminal analysis of our societal and individual relationships with animals. Joy uses the term 'Carnism' to describe the predominant belief system that conditions us to consume certain animals but not others. The book questions societal norms and customs, ethics and justice, our capacity to empathize, and the disturbing reality hidden behind sanitized supermarket packages of meat. It is not a book simply asking us to become vegans or vegetarians; instead, it asks us to critically evaluate our choices, biases, and attitudes regarding animals.

Ten Actions Reflecting the Learnings:

Become more aware of how society conditions us to eat certain animals and not others - identify the inconsistencies.
Review your eating habits and the ethics behind them - challenge your own beliefs and habits.
Spread awareness about 'carnism' in conversations with family, friends, or social media followers.
Explore vegan or vegetarian diets or consider reducing your meat consumption.
Reach out to animal rights groups, attend speaker events, or volunteer to help broaden your perspective and knowledge.
If not ready to fully give up meat, consider ethical alternatives like free-range or grass-fed options.
Learn about the environmental impact of animal farming and how reducing meat consumption can contribute to Earth's sustainability.
Discuss the book and its themes in book clubs or social groups to encourage more people to think deeply about these issues.
Do not view animals as inanimate objects, acknowledge their capacity for emotions and pain.
Support legislation and brands that ensure ethical treatment of animals and work towards minimizing animal exploitation.

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