Dr. Ling Sing Ling’s article, Why Eschew Meat? Ramblings of a Pescatarian is about empathy – feeling the feeling of others – including our fellow animal creatures. She eats fish, not meat – a pescatarian (from Italian “Pesce” for fish).
Our culture determines our dietary habits and preferences. Being different from others by choice brings inconvenience. Abstinence from the food we use to enjoy with family and friends during gatherings and festivities calls for discipline (and inconvenience). So why is there a need for such sacrifices?
Dr. Ling believes animals, like us, are sentient beings – be kind to them. They perceive and feel just like we do. Cows weep when they know the end is near. We often mistreat farmed animals – put them in cages too small to move in, force geese to produce foie gras, and shoot them when they are no longer “useful” (like horses) to make food for zoo carnivores.
Empathy connects people (and animals too)! This shared feeling influences us to connect and support each other, thus improving relationships. It is, therefore, easy to appreciate how empathy holds the different strands of society together.
But then, do animals feel the way we feel (sentient beings)? I think so until otherwise proven wrong. Recently, during our driving holiday along the Murray River, we stayed on a farm. It was winter, and they were hardly any tourists around. We had the self-contained annex all to ourselves, sharing it with a dog called Rex.
Rex must be lonely. He just wanted to play with me whenever he saw me! I enjoyed playing with him too. When it was time to leave, I could feel his sadness, and I think he felt mine too. I can never forget the look in his eyes.
Do you see and feel Rex’s sadness too?
To be continued in Part II
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
