hunting and politics

[xris]

The political scene may change in the UK and the hunting lobby are determined to overthrow legislation banning hunting by hounds. Is it morally correct to hunt for pleasure in the 21C and to permit by law. Can we, should we, legislate to stop any sports hunting? The US is far removed from our moral views on the subject but should the principle be debated?

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by xris

The political scene may change in the UK and the hunting lobby are determined to overthrow legislation banning hunting by hounds. Is it morally correct to hunt for pleasure in the 21C and to permit by law. Can we, should we, legislate to stop any sports hunting? The US is far removed from our moral views on the subject but should the principle be debated?

Of course it should be debated. Oscar Wilde called hunting foxes, "The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable". But if you read some of the novels of Anthony Trollope, you can understand why some people find fox-hunting so enjoyable. But that, of course, has nothing to do with the ethics of it.

[chad3006]

I agree it should be debated. It can be debated whether or not hunting is moral in the 21c, and it can be debate whether or not it should be permitted by law.

But, morals can't be mandated, they must be taught. Those who have a desire to kill solely for sport, will still have that desire whether it is illegal or not.

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by chad3006

I agree it should be debated. It can be debated whether or not hunting is moral in the 21c, and it can be debate whether or not it should be permitted by law.

But, morals can't be mandated, they must be taught. Those who have a desire to kill solely for sport, will still have that desire whether it is illegal or not.

They may have that desire. But if it is illegal they won't do it.

[chad3006]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

They may have that desire. But if it is illegal they won't do it.

Maybe, or maybe not. The desire may manifest itself in some other way. Or they may just hunt illegally.

A black bear was illegally shot in my county a few months ago and nothing was done about it. I know people who kill illegal game all the time. It is tolerated in my area. But you'd better not steal a chain saw!

[xris]

I think the majority of those who oppose hunting for sport feel their representation is not truly represented, nor is it debated enough by the media or by the religious establishment. It has become the Parana of the ethical debating society. Many vested interests are fearful of making their views heard. The hunting lobby it appears has many powerful friends and to speak up against it may jeopardize certain interests.

Morally i find it repugnant and indefensible by any standards, yet many seemingly moderate moral individuals support the act. Why anyone should find it exciting and not sickening, is beyond my comprehension.

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by chad3006

Maybe, or maybe not. The desire may manifest itself in some other way. Or they may just hunt illegally.

A black bear was illegally shot in my county a few months ago and nothing was done about it. I know people who kill illegal game all the time. It is tolerated in my area. But you'd better not steal a chain saw!

People may desire to murder, but they don't because the costs of doing so are too great. If the desire manifests itself by becoming a butcher, that is perfectly all right. It depends on how the desire comes out. If they murder (illegally) then they are likely to be caught and punished.

[chad3006]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

People may desire to murder, but they don't because the costs of doing so are too great. If the desire manifests itself by becoming a butcher, that is perfectly all right. It depends on how the desire comes out. If they murder (illegally) then they are likely to be caught and punished.

I guess you're right. I'll have to work on myself a little harder to accept other's solutions. I've always had trouble with that. It's always been my method to fight and inevitably loose and then once again gain hope through some mystic osmosis that one time I'll win the fight. I'm not talking about the debates here on PF, I'm talking about life. It's just that the debates here are microcosms of that life. This is someone else's world. This is the nuclear age and I've got a sharpened stick, what the hell do I expect? If I can just get that through my thick head I could finally sit with folded hands and look at the pretty flowers....here comes that hope again.

[Pangloss]

I agree that hunting for sport is morally wrong, but I don't exactly see the grounds for making the activity illegal, at least not on private property. It seems to me that the law does not allow for the protection of the rights of animals, unless they reside on public grounds. But, it's a touchy issue indeed. When it comes down to it, I'd rather keep the government from meddling with private property rights than from banning all sport hunting, though neither option appeals to me.

[xris]

We make laws to protect domestic animals but for certain reasons put wild animals below the value of our cutey little mutts. I'm not saying what is possible in the present moral attitude of the general public but that it should be debated more often than it is. It is ignored or constantly brushed under the carpet. We should examine the mind of those who find pleasure in killing for its own sake. It lies within us all. this sickness, and it should be examined.