The paradox of pescatarianism: Why do people easily eat fish but reject meat?

Eating habits are often intertwined with ethical issues regarding the environment, health and animal welfare. Some choose veganism to combat these problems, while others choose pescatarianism, limiting meat consumption to fish and seafood. According to IFLScience, a recent study took a closer look at the motivations behind these dietary choices and revealed some surprising contradictions.

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First of all, what is the paradox of pescatarianism? This is essentially the dilemma faced by those who avoid most types of meat but still include fish in their diet.

If you’ve ever been a vegetarian, you’re probably already familiar with the meat paradox; The contradiction between loving animals and even loving them while at the same time supporting an industry that depends primarily on their suffering and death.

There’s also the cheese paradox that these same vegetarians resort to every time they consume eggs or milk: They claim to care about animals and their welfare, while at the same time relying on some pretty terrible practices to supplement their diets with dairy.

With this in mind, we can understand the paradox of pescatarianism: the problem is somewhere in the middle, faced by those who reject meat and include fish and seafood in their diet.

Despite its appeal as a middle ground, this raises ethical issues. Fish, like other animals, can experience pain and stress. Additionally, the environmental impact of the fishing industry is at the same level as meat production.

Bottom trawling, or fishing with heavy nets pulled across the seabed, releases nearly the same amount of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as the entire aviation industry, according to a 2021 study.

So why do some people continue to follow this diet? Three main reasons were identified in the research. The first is practicality: Pescatarians see it as a compromise between eating meat and veganism. However, this assessment is not entirely justified, as practicality is subjective and does not take into account ethical issues.

Another justification is the belief that fish are less important than other animals due to possible cognitive differences. But there is evidence that fish feel pain and have cognitive abilities. Some also distance themselves psychologically from Pisces due to their invisibility and lack of personal attachment compared to land animals.

Important

“When participants were asked why they continued to eat aquatic animals rather than terrestrial animals, limited cognitive abilities and the inability to feel pain were consistently cited as reasons for their decisions,” the authors write, noting that there is “increasing evidence regarding cognitive abilities and pain perception in fish.” more”.

For others, psychological distance resulted from real, physical distance. Researchers found that cows and sheep are perceived as individuals. Fish, on the other hand, remain almost invisible; both literally (participants were unlikely to see fish on farms or in the wild and thus rarely confronted the reality of their diet) and figuratively, many participants were reluctant to explore or explore. A question that doubts your choice very harshly.

Surprisingly, some pescatarians disdain meat consumption, often identifying with vegetarianism or even veganism. This cognitive dissonance allows them to maintain a positive self-esteem despite things that go against their values. Interestingly, many people express a desire to become completely vegetarian or vegan in the future.

Ultimately, the study suggests that pescatarianism may not solve ethical problems as much as some believe. Instead, it highlights the complexity of dietary choices and the human tendency to rationalize behavior. After all, perhaps there is no such thing as a true pescatarian, only people on the path to more ethical eating habits or fish-eating vegans.

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