I have learned a couple things doing this Non Leather Shoes blog.  I have also run into some things that raise questions in my mind.  Ethics V Cruelty.  Ethical treatment of animals as compared to cruelty to animals.  What is ethical treatment of animals?

I don’t think we as a culture or people need to use leather to cover our feet anymore.  Now, I’m not a vegan and until recently didn’t even really understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian.  What I find curious is when perusing the internet I often find articles about let’s say a Vegan Shoe or vegan clothes, that almost always mention something about the ethical treatment of animals.  I don’t notice that in the non leather shoes or leather free articles.

That got me to thinking about the ethical treatment of animals.  I watched an episode of “Bones” not too long ago, the plot was centered around a chicken factory, that got me thinking about it some more.  While some things stand out and scream unethical others are not so clear.  I don’t think cruelty and ethics go hand in hand all the time either.  Cruelty free non leather shoes is a good thing, but what about cruelty free leather shoes?  Let’s say a farmer has a cow that is treated well.  It is allowed to graze and is fed and cared for.  The farmer is rewarded for taking care of the cow by getting milk and other by-products he can use.  When the cow dies of natural causes.  Is it unethical to use the hide for leather?  I don’t think it is.

Cruelty in my mind is pretty straight forward, ethics on the other hand has some gray area.  I think non leather shoes, and animal free clothing is the way to go.  You would think we are evolved enough to take a few more steps away from the cave.  A leather or fur coat today is the same as it was 2000 years ago, better looking because of technology and craftsmanship perhaps, but still just an animal hide.  2000 years ago there was a need to wear animal hides, not today. 

Technorati Tags: non leather, Non Leather Shoes