I wonder about the idea among some vegans that we should value nonhuman life–all else being equal—-on par with human life. But it’s tricky. On one hand, there is no objective basis for valuing human life more than nonhuman life. Yet, on the other hand, that bias might be sort of hardwired into our brains, and thereby very difficult, if not impossible to think outside of.

The Deep Ecology approach of trying to set ecological priorities beyond human self-interest might have some things in common with theological attempts to “die to yourself” or otherwise transcend our subjectivity. That sort of transcendence might not be possible no matter how much we pray, fast, flagellate ourselves, abstain from sensual comfort and pleasure, and so on.