Eating meat is natural

Last reviewed: January 10, 2026

Quick Answer

This is the "appeal to nature" fallacy. Many natural things are harmful (diseases, violence), and many unnatural things are good (medicine, cooperation). Natural does not equal ethical.

Evidence Summary

The claim: "Eating meat is natural, therefore it's ethical/good/justified." This is the Appeal to Nature fallacy: The argument assumes: Natural = Good/Ethical But this is logically invalid because: Natural things that are harmful:

Disease, parasites, cancer
Violence, infanticide, rape (all occur in nature)
Poisonous plants and venomous animals
Natural disasters Unnatural things that are good:
Medicine and vaccines
Cooked food (fire is a technology)
Sanitation and

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