On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating

On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating

Author: Harvesting Nature April 21, 2026 Duration: 58:02
Summary: Explore the ethical considerations of eating and killing in the context of hunting, food production, and environmental impact. Blake Binford shares insights from his book 'On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating', discussing how distance from nature influences our perceptions and responsibilities. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: On the Ethics of Killing: The Moral Math of Eating Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Wild Food and Perspectives 02:50 Personal Journey and the Role of Food 06:13 The Ethics of Eating and Protein Sources 08:58 Wild Game and Its Nutritional Value 11:56 Revisiting Perspectives on Food Production 15:02 The Cost of Living: Death and Consumption 17:47 Understanding Clean vs. Violent Food 20:59 The Distance of Modern Life from Nature 23:59 Moral Relief and Responsibility in Food Choices 27:06 Access to Food and Public Lands 30:12 Ethical Considerations of Distance in Food Production 32:17 Understanding the Cost of Consumption 39:28 Ethics of Hunting and Awareness 50:25 Moral Math in Food Choices 56:46 Honest Eating and Personal Responsibility Takeaways: The concept that living requires death and its implications The impact of modern life and distance from nature on food ethics The idea of moral responsibility following the act of killing The relationship between hunting, food production, and environmental conservation The concept of kill count per calorie as a moral math model Keywords: Ethics of killing, hunting, food sustainability, environmental impact, moral responsibility, wild game, food waste, conservation, food ethics, natural world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 188: Sous Vide Venison French Dip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:28
I’ve taken the classic French Dip sandwich and updated it with some venison backstrap. The signs of a well-made French dip are easily distinguishable from the bad ones. The bread-to-meat ratio must be correct. The cheese…
Episode 187: Come Hunt, Cook, and Eat Wild Pigs with us in Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:31
Summary: The Harvesting Nature crew and camp guests discuss their May 2022 wild pig hunting skills camp in Texas. They highlight the activities and lessons learned during the camp, including shooting, ballistics, cooking…
Episode 186: Exploring Organ Meats with Dr. Jonathan Reisman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:25
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam chat with Dr. Jonathan Reisman about hunting, cooking, and eating offal and organ meats. They discuss the incorporation of organ meat into diets and highlight the nutritional val…
Episode 185: The Turkey Book with Jesse Griffiths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam are joined by Jesse Griffiths, a world-class chef, hunter, and author of the new book, The Turkey Book. They discuss turkey hunting, cooking, and the inspiration behind the book.…