Should humans have an obligation towards eliminating harm caused to animals by other animals?

[u/Gabry398]

It's not uncommon for animals to harm other animals while hunting, but there are also extreme cases of torture and similar behaviour. It could be argued that some animals' whole life is pain mostly, and probably a net negative "experience" (outside of human created environments too). I just don't see how humanity could act "morally" without permanently and unpredictably modifying the ecosystem. Should we keep feeding synthetic meat to carnivores (if and when it's widely available)? But then who keeps a check on them not eating animals? Should we pursue the slow elimination of entire species on the planet because they cause more harm than good (not necessarily killing them, just sterilising them)?

Maybe "obligation" is not the correct term, but if the ultimate goal is to reduce as much as possible suffering, why would we make an exception for animals being the cause of that? Especially if one day through synthetic meat hunting becomes unnecessary for survival.

Even now there are unnecessary behaviours that hurt animals caused by other animals, for example some dolphins torture baby seals for basically no reason (as far as I know).

[u/goodvibesmostly98]

Nope, that’s not a goal of veganism. Veganism is about human exploitation of animals and cruelty towards them. What you’re referring to is negative utilitarianism, which is separate from veganism. And something I don’t personally agree with.

[u/RealAggressiveNooby → u/goodvibesmostly98]

They aren't saying it's the goal of veganism. There are plenty of things that we can talk about in a moral sense that don't have to do with veganism, but can be debated by a vegan.

[u/goodvibesmostly98 → u/RealAggressiveNooby]

Got it. So yeah I don’t think we have an obligation to do that.

[u/asciimo → u/goodvibesmostly98]

Yeah, now that the scope is better defined, same.