Summary Of Down On The Factory Farm

In “Down on the Factory Farm,” Peter Singer criticizes the inhumane practices of raising animals by factory farmers in order to maximize profits. Singer’s target audience are mainly consumers, as they are likely unaware of the exploitation of animals in the meat production process.
Singer discusses two major culprits of animal suffering: human ignorance and inhumane treatment of animals. In terms of ignorance, “we are ignorant of the abuse of living creatures that lies behind the food we eat.” (Singer, “Down on” 19). Since the neatly packaged meat leaves no room for association with suffering animals, we as consumers buy meat for consumption without relating to the source of meat.
In terms of inhumane treatment, factory farms employ assembly-line