Why there is reason for concern (and hope for improvement)
This subsection addresses the following three topics:
Ancestral versus contemporary models
In ancestral communities, animal source foods were obtained and used with reverence and ritual, evident in hunting, herding, and sharing practices. This cultural connection between humans and animals is weaker in industrialized Western societies today. However, this change does not necessarily mean worse animal welfare compared to pre-industrial times. While some practices are criticized for cruelty, others set unprecedented standards. Welfare can even be better in intensive systems than extensive ones, at least in certain aspects. Be that as it may, industrialization tends to diminish the cultural position of livestock in modern thinking, affecting both animals and humanity.
Animals should not be seen as mere commodities
The lack of direct exposure to farming and butchering processes in modern Western societies parallels a moral dilemma. Urban dwellers are uncomfortable with reminders of the animal origins of their food. Meat has been commodified and separated from its source, obscuring the human-animal connection. This trend is most prominent in Anglo-Saxon cultures and with animals perceived as 'cute'. Denial about the origin of meat persists as long as butchering scenes are hidden, causing emotional reactions when revealed. Ideological activists in mass media campaigns accentuate this by exposing the public to intense scenes. While animal welfare standards are widely adopted in the livestock sector, not all producers ensure animal well-being, and certain systems remain problematic. Some vocal vegan activists generalize about animal agriculture based on instances of malpractice, ignoring positive cases at the farm or slaughterhouse level.
Rethinking human-animal interactions
Prioritizing healthy animals is essential, allowing them to express natural behaviours and live pain-free lives through advancements in technology and behavioural science. However, focusing solely on welfare is insufficient. Western societies may also have to re-evaluate their relationships with animals, aiming for more meaningful connections. This would involve the acknowledgement of a shared ecological embodiment. Such transformation can even leverage animal source foods as catalysts for societal change, evoking a deep connectivity and driving impactful transformations in how people view sourcing concerns. Imaginative shifts, like considering grazing lands as communal dining tables, could aid in this transformation. Recognizing the inherent value of all beings, beyond their role as food, could lead to a shift from being mere eaters of 'meat' (sarcophages) to acknowledging our place as eaters of 'animals' (zoophages). Embracing the complexity of our relationships with animals, the 'virtuous omnivore' acknowledges the tension between ethical considerations and consumption choices.