Non-valid arguments for eating meat

False arguments for eating meat refuted
Meat tastes good.
Vegetarian food tastes good.
Meat is healthy.
Vegetarian food s healthier.
Eating meat is natural.
Eating meat produced in factory farming is unnatural.
Meat is indispensable, without it you will become ill.
A vegetarian taking a balanced diet does not risk his health, only vegans (who eat absolutely no animal products at all) have to supplement their dietwith vitamin B-12. If they do that, they will stay healthy.
Animals exist to be eaten, that happens in nature.
In nature hardly any species of animal imprisons other animals for their entire lives so they can eat them when they want to
Humans need animal protein.
During digestion, all proteins are broken down to amino acids, all of which also occur in plant protein. The human body needs amino acids to build up proteins itself.
If all people would be vegetarian, there would be more hunger in the world.
The opposite is the case, if vegetable food were distributed justly, all hunger would be banished.
Humans seek the life-force of an animal, the life-force will continue to exist if an animal is butchered with dignity.
Life-force disappears anytime animals are killed.

See also: My inner path as a process to become a fruitarian.
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Test yourself: which fallacy is this?

Ten statements about animals that you hear all the time. Can you spot the fallacy? After each answer you read why it does not hold.

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This article is part of a series on fallacies and demagogy

Some arguments used in debate on the topics in the title simply are invalid. That goes for pro and contra.

We selected a few of the most rigid arguments from different situations and placed an appropriate counterargument.

Because a more clear and honest way of reasoning helps improve the circumstances animals live in. Apart from the specific issues there are the types of arguments in general.

Fallacies are deliberately or accidentally used in a debate.

So be aware of the principles and the integrity of an opponent.

How do you respond to fallacies? Six tips

Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Start by assuming a misunderstanding, not deliberate deception. Even someone who keeps using fallacies may simply be badly informed or emotionally involved.

  • Mind the context. In a friendly conversation a gentle approach works better than in a formal debate. Adapt to your relationship with the other person and to the aim of the conversation.
  • Stay calm. Fallacies are often meant to stir up emotions. Keep your own emotions in check.
  • Identify the fallacy. Try to understand where the reasoning goes wrong. Do this for yourself, not to catch the other person out.
  • Answer the fallacy. Ask clarifying questions or explain why the argument does not convince you. Avoid technical terms.
  • Stay on topic. Bring the conversation back to what it is about and keep it on a rational level.
  • Be prepared. If you know you will talk to someone who often uses fallacies, gather some facts and arguments beforehand.

See also how to respond to animal-unfriendly behaviour of others.

Non-valid arguments (deceptive arguments) for different groups