Table 2. Animal-related meaning... | Emerald Publishing

Table 2.

Animal-related meaning categories surrounding the meat paradox

Meaning categories	Sub-meanings	Excerpts
Animals as unique beings	Animals have the right to live freely	“Every creature here is born to live its own life […]” (B3)
	Animals possess intrinsic value and have ethical rights	“Animal rights are important to me. The easiest way to make sure I’m not involved in the mistreatment of animals is not to eat meat.” (B5)
	Animals have the right to be free from commodification	“[…] and I do not feel that my desires are more important than someone else’s right to preserve their species-specific way of life.” (B7)
Animals as equal beings	Animals as sentient beings	“The reason for this [vegetarian diet] is industrial production, which I do not want to support. My reason for being a vegetarian has simply been that I do not want to support the killing of animals and their suffering.” (B24)
Animals as equal beings	Animals as intelligent beings	“I have been a vegetarian for [a long time]; before that, I was a passionate meat eater. The inclination to try and then maintain a plant-based diet emerged when our family got a dog. Looking into its eyes, I began to wonder why some animals are eaten and others are petted.” (B15)
Animals as cared-for beings	Compassion for animals	“Nevertheless, I care about their well-being and do not wish them unnecessary suffering.” (B4)
Animals as cared-for beings	Responsibility towards animals	“In my opinion, those of us who understand have a responsibility to act.” (B10)

Meaning categories	Sub-meanings	Excerpts
Animals as unique beings	Animals have the right to live freely	“Every creature here is born to live its own life […]” (B3)
	Animals possess intrinsic value and have ethical rights	“Animal rights are important to me. The easiest way to make sure I’m not involved in the mistreatment of animals is not to eat meat.” (B5)
	Animals have the right to be free from commodification	“[…] and I do not feel that my desires are more important than someone else’s right to preserve their species-specific way of life.” (B7)
Animals as equal beings	Animals as sentient beings	“The reason for this [vegetarian diet] is industrial production, which I do not want to support. My reason for being a vegetarian has simply been that I do not want to support the killing of animals and their suffering.” (B24)
Animals as equal beings	Animals as intelligent beings	“I have been a vegetarian for [a long time]; before that, I was a passionate meat eater. The inclination to try and then maintain a plant-based diet emerged when our family got a dog. Looking into its eyes, I began to wonder why some animals are eaten and others are petted.” (B15)
Animals as cared-for beings	Compassion for animals	“Nevertheless, I care about their well-being and do not wish them unnecessary suffering.” (B4)
Animals as cared-for beings	Responsibility towards animals	“In my opinion, those of us who understand have a responsibility to act.” (B10)

Source(s): Authors’ own work