On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 02:50:31 -0800, "formerly known as 'cat arranger'" > wrote:

>
>I believe that existence is a benefit.

Life is the benefit which allows zygotes to grow into animals.
Life is the benefit which makes all others possible.

>It seems that species are incorrectly
>divided up into individuals

They are divided up into individuals. You should know that
from the cats, if nothing else.

>when they
>they really are more of a continuum.

That depends on what you are discussing specifically...

>So the benefit of existence is to the
>parents

....like there you're discussing individuals...

>and the species.

....and there the species.

>To the parents
>in that their genes and their need to
>continue is fulfilled and to the species
>in that it is continued.
>
>But it is a sort of false benefit in that the
>species can be continued quite well without
>farming

· The meat industry includes habitats in which a small
variety of animals are raised. The animals in those
habitats, as those in any other, are completely dependant
on them to not only sustain their lives, but they also
depend on them to provide the pairing of sperm and egg
that begin their particular lives. Those particular animals will
only live if people continue to raise them for food.

Animals that are born to other groups--such as wild
animals, pets, performing animals, etc.--are completely
different groups of animals. Regardless of how many or few
animals are born to these other groups, the billions of animals
which are raised for food will always be dependant on that
industry, and will only experience life if humans continue to
consume them. ·

>and most meat eaters could not
>care less about a species except for the
>benefit of their bloody meat.
>
>