As we say in mathematics, there are separable variables in that argument. Suppose all animals consumed by humans were humanely raised and treated. Suppose further that they led full lives and were slaughtered without pain. That might bring some people back from vegetarian-land, especially when you consider that killing and eating animals is not the unique province of humans. Entire branches of the animal kingdom are pure carnivores: lions don’t long for kale salads while mauling zebras; snakes don’t forage for berries; owls don’t ogle the broccoli in your garden.
