Ask Lemmy
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One for the world:
I think dog / cat ownership is immoral. There are huge energy and material costs to supporting those animals.
Cats when allowed outside will decimate ecosystems and are literal invasive species. As for dogs, I can't help but feel that they've have been weaponized into a deniable tool for harassing other people.
One for Lemmy:
I think capitalism can be good. I think in an ideal world where everyone's needs are met, there will still be a market and people getting ludicrously wealthy. And I think in that ideal world those ludicrously wealthy people can translate that wealth into political power.
This seems insane for those of us trapped in this present, but I think it is good for there to be a mechanism where understanding some reality that is tied to physical phenomena gives people power.
I think large organizations can get by for a very long time inculcating in their members strange philosophies. If the only path to power is by acquiescing to your superiors and parroting dogma, I think that would be bad.
Of course, conditions in the real world look nothing like those in that ideal world.
Edited away: I think dog / cat ownership makes you a bad person.
I thought it was unnecessarily inflammatory and regret choosing that inflammatory language
Do you differentiate between people who purchased their pets vs rescue, or do you see all pet owners as the same?
I think owning pets in our modern urban lives doesn't make sense like it used to, but I have always had pets and do enjoy them. Every single one has been a rescue though. I could not personally justify supporting breeders and pets as an industry.
Honestly, I just dislike other people's dogs. They're off leash, aggressive, and slowly bleeding into every space. Having a neighbor that encouraged anxiety and barking was an exceedingly unpleasant experience.
That being said, I'm uncomfortable with the idea of animals being created for and existing for humans. The situation is definitely better than the livestock industry and there's also the complication that the pets seem to be happy and humans seem to be happier with pets. It would also be exceedingly cruel to take away service dogs from those that have them.
But, pet ownership is rising world wide. Given the demand, they'll be bred. Pet QoL is going up. Now that they're family, their environmental impact is going to grow.
Yes, rescues are better than the alternative. Spaying and neutering reduce harm. I wish that the default pets would instead be cold-blooded terrestrial animals and rodents. I wish pets were unable survive outside of captivity.
I think it's generally immoral to own pets and that if one does, one should strive to maximize the human happiness:externality ratio. It's a minor immorality, but the OP asked for controversial moral opinions.