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To: jimt
Because animals cannot give consent and there are laws protecting animals from abuse.
23 posted on 12/10/2003 4:09:05 PM PST by Tempest
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To: Tempest
Because animals cannot give consent and there are laws protecting animals from abuse.

The whole issue of "consenting adults" is always played as a "trump card" to cut off discussion. But consider:

Granted, the last couple of examples are...utterly revolting. But from a utilitarian viewpoint you have no particular reason to make laws against any of these. If you were going to outlaw dealings with animals based on "lack of consent" and "abuse" you would probably, like PETA, start with nonconsensual confinement, treatment of food animals, ownership, etc. and sexual contact that the animal does not enjoy. But why should we single out only the last of those? And why should we care what a pervert would do with a corpse he had acquired legitimately?

I would suggest that there are acts--such as some of these--that are generally detrimental to society as a whole. And that it is good if there are laws to punish some of them. And finally, that "consenting adults" should not be considered to be a magic bullet for killing all morality arguments.

33 posted on 12/10/2003 4:51:49 PM PST by Kyrie (The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.)
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