Convince me that the argument for vegetarianism isn't flawed. [View All]

[Zhade]

Okay, hopefully this will not become too flame-broiled of a thread...

I'm aware of the environmental arguments against eating meat (and think they could be countered by instituting regulations to counter the negative effects), I'm aware of the argument against meat from an individualistic moral viewpoint (it's somehow wrong to kill animals for food, which again I'm not sure I'm convinced of).

My seeing vegetarianism as a flawed philosophy comes down to this: if it's about not killing for food, than no one should eat vegetables either, as they are also living things.

If it's about causing animals pain, eliminate the pain (and I fully support ending animal cruelty; I just don't consider eating animals cruel).

What rational, nonsubjective arguments can be made for vegetarianism? Be forewarned that anything based on woo-woo logic dependent on unsupported assertions about Life's Consciousness or other non-proven mysticality will be duly dismissed, as I can't possibly check and verify those against reality. Likewise, please don't bother to cite the "higher IQ" thread, as 1) correlation does not prove causation and 2) I have problems with IQ testing as a whole.

I tried vegetarianism once for a brief time as a teenager, and didn't remain of the belief that it was the right thing to do. I'm willing to listen to all reasonable arguments, though!