World’s first octopus farm stirs ethical debate

Post by nefitty » Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 1:32 AM UTC

jodrellblank wrote: post #6

nefitty wrote: post #5

> Last year, researchers at the London School of Economics concluded from a review of 300 scientific studies that octopus were sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and happiness, and that high-welfare farming would be impossible. I don't understand how someone can decide to ignore that in an effort to make money. I fear that if we don't more quickly move the Overton window on the suffering of sentient cre…

Is it not clear that cows experience distress? And we farm and eat those. Or is this conclusion that octopuses experience distress and other animals are p-zombies which only react in a way that looks like distress but might be emotionally neutral inside?

Post by nefitty » Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 1:34 AM UTC

alliao wrote: post #8

nefitty wrote: post #5

> Last year, researchers at the London School of Economics concluded from a review of 300 scientific studies that octopus were sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and happiness, and that high-welfare farming would be impossible. I don't understand how someone can decide to ignore that in an effort to make money. I fear that if we don't more quickly move the Overton window on the suffering of sentient cre…

the same would apply to pretty much all animals no? and dare I say plants too?

Post by lisper » Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 1:35 AM UTC

pranith wrote: post #14

KerryJones wrote: post #7

I've had several people in my life tell me after more intense studies of octopi they refuse to eat them. While I've seen a couple of documentaries on the subject, I won't profess to know as much, but the essential argument has been that they're extremely intelligent, emotional animals. It's akin to eating a dog or cat (which might be acceptable in some parts of the world, but pretty shunned in the west). It's convinc…

Even cows are extremely intelligent and emotional animals. Did you stop eating them?

Post by eindiran » Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 1:37 AM UTC

nefitty wrote: post #9

bmitc wrote: post #4

> "For now aquaculture is the only available option." Wrong. I've stopped eating octopus. Of course, we can't stop eating every animal, even many that obviously feel distress and emotions, but we really need to draw a line on reducing and making sure that we raise or naturally hunt animals in a humane as possible way. Octopus is one I've taken a line on. Others still weigh on me. "Aquaculture" is being billed as the…

I commend you for your decision. I want to add that framing my ideas about animal suffering in an elastic way makes it easier for me to make incremental changes. An animal is either alive or dead. Maybe eating vegetarian once a week will save a life down the line. I urge everyone to resist the all-or-nothing approach, especially on such an important aspect of our ethical choices. No one's perfect, not even the vegan…

Post by kelseyfrog » Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 1:38 AM UTC

gerdesj wrote: post #3

miguel_rdp wrote: post #2

On a very lateral note, pulpo a la gallega is made with boiled, not seared, octopus

I shall instruct my octopodal mates to avoid hot baths and go for the incineration option instead. This is a tricky one. Where do you draw the line as an omnivore?