Encyclopedia of Opinion

Question: Should you go vegan?
Position1 of 2›: Eating animal products is ethical
Argument‹3 of 5›: Humans need meat in their diet

As omnivores we biologically demand meat in order to fuel our bodies and gain a sufficient amount of protein

The argument

Meat is a part of the human diet and has been for thousands of years. Meat allows us to maintain stable weight, grow muscle, fuel our immune system, digest effectively, produce energy, have healthy skin and bones, improve vision, improve mental health and is good for cognitive function.

Context

For many years it had been widely accepted that meat was an integral part of the human diet. However, as understanding and consideration for the animals sprung rapidly (the vegan trend quadrupled in the 5 years between 2012 and 2017), the suggestion that we shouldn’t eat meat made people sceptical about what was so bad about meat. Consumption of meat continues to increase however, and don't we need it?

Premises

[P1]Humans have eaten meat for thousands of years as a core part of our diet. [P2] Meat supports essential bodily functions including muscle growth, immunity, digestion, energy, bone and skin health, vision, and cognition. [C] Therefore, since meat is necessary for human health, eating animal products is ethical.

Counter-arguments

Although meat is useful to us and good to have in our diet, it is not necessary. Many individuals and even entire cultures do not eat animal products. We can lead healthy and long lives just as well without eating animal products as with, so health is not an excuse to eat them.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Humans can live long and healthy lives without animal products, so this is not a reason to eat them.