Look again
A calf exists first as a calf. A fish exists first as a fish. A chicken exists first as a chicken. Their lives do not begin as entries on a human menu.
We live among other organisms in one natural system. Our ability to capture, breed or use them does not by itself make us owners of their lives.
Where choice enters
Living inevitably affects other beings. That is why the question is precise: can we recognise a harm, choose whether to cause it, and live without causing it?
Read the full argument to follow that reasoning, or explore common questions about plants, predation and necessity.