Page:Reasonsfornoteatinganimalfood.pdf/1

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SIR RICHARD PHILLIPS's

REASONS

For not Eating

ANIMAL FOOD,

OR ANY THING

THAT HAS ENJOYED SENSITIVE LIFE.

(WRITTEN IN 1814.)


I.

BECAUSE, being Mortal himself, and holding his Life on the same uncertain and precarious tenure as all other sensitive Beings, he does not feel himself justified by any supposed superiority, or inequality of condition in destroying the vital enjoyment of any other Mortal, except in the necessary defence of his own Life.

II.

Because the desire of life is so paramount, and so affectingly cherished in all sensitive Beings, that he cannot reconcile it to his feelings to destroy, or become a voluntary party in the destruction of any living Creature, however much in his power, or apparently insignificant.

III.

Because he feels an utter and unconquerable Repugnance against receiving into his stomach the Flesh or Juices of deceased animal organization.

IV.

Because he feels the same Abhorence against devouring Flesh in general, that he hears carnivorous persons express against eating Human Flesh, or the flesh of dogs, cats, horses, or other