"george" wrote in message
news:OCEvd.498533$wV.326174@attbi_s54...
snip
Wow. I think you need to take a deep breath and calm down. First of all,
where
did I say that fish are akin to humans? Where did I say that only humans
can
suffer pain? The fact that YOU assume that fish "suffer" as humans do is
the
reason why I used the term anthropomorphic. The dog analogy is a
non-sequitur
since dogs have vastly more complex nervous systems than fish, and in
fact, have
nervous systems that in many ways are comparable to humans. They
certainly DO
feel pain the way we do, as anyone who has ever cared for an injured dog
can
attest to. I don't know why you persist in this line of reasoning, when
my only
point is that a near-death fish is highly unlikely to experience much, if
any
pain, and so to suggest that pulling the fish out of water and allowing it
to
die is somehow inhumane is simply ludicrous.

I am quite calm, so need to calm further.

It is you that has repeatedly stated in this thread that "fish are not as
complex as humans", and "fish don't feel like humans do". You are the one
anthropomorphizing this conversation. Nobody else is making this comparison.

My analogy using the dog was simply intended to point out the error in your
logic. A less advanced creature does not by virtue of being less advanced
deserve less respect, or lack of compassion. Human, Dog, fish, etc.

The original thread was simply about minimizing the suffering of an ailing
fish. You contend that fish are so less advanced then us, that simply
tossing it on the ground is adequate. I contend that any living being should
be treated as important and as a pond owner I take that philosphy to a
degree whereby I do what I can to minize the suffering of every living
creature around me.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, as we clearly have different
philosophies on the importance of lesser species.

BV.

P.S. I don't believe you can treate anything but humans, humanely.