I understand it. And I understand that it is bullshit. It is an attempt to emotionally distance oneself from the consequences of one’s own choices. If one chooses for an animal to be killed, one is responsible for its death, and playing little semantic games cannot change that fundamental reality. But these games do prevent one from fully processing an idea that threatens them. It’s how you brainwash yourself. Groom yourself to be able to commit cruelty and violence, and not feel bad about it.

To even engage in such sophistry is to confess one’s guilt.