Hey, thanks for reading and commenting. You're right to point out we can't just apply this logic with a broad brush. Because "humans without certain mental capacities" could include developing humans in utero, for example.
I'm making a very narrow criticism of someone else's argument ("small farms are unethical because they kill animals before they would otherwise expire*") and claiming it's a flawed argument since everything we know scientifically about animals, consciousness, and having an internal "life story," is that cows and chickens don't know how old they are. Not in any way like humans do.
So we can make other arguments why killing animals is unethical; I just don't think "because they would live longer" is one of them. And in the meantime, since animal welfare is so much greater on the typical small farm, we might do well to encourage people who insist on eating meat to get theirs from such higher welfare, more sustainable sources.
Cheers,
TJ
*for the record, I'm entirely in favor of increasing the lifespan of farm animals. Not because I think they suffer due to the sheer fact of living until 3, or 6, or 12 years of age, but because such efforts for longevity will likely result in better quality conditions and health while they live.
