Is Animal Farming the Greatest Delusion Hurting Humans?

Humans often assume that animal farming is natural, even a right. Yet, undeniable facts of life point to a starkly different reality. In fact, animal farming may be one of the greatest misconceptions in history, with consequences that reach far beyond the animals themselves.

Vast Self’s research, informed by the compelling discoveries of ancient philosopher-scientist Nāgārjuna (c. 150 – c. 250 CE), highlights how animal farming could represent humanity’s greatest oversight, causing immense harm to everyone involved. Nāgārjuna’s insight revealed over 1,900 years ago, demonstrates that our fundamental beliefs about how humans and animals exist are completely opposite to the facts of existence. This discrepancy leads to far-reaching, often destructive consequences that affect us all.

The Illusion of the Self: Misperceptions and Facts.

Most humans tend to perceive themselves and animals as unique beings, each appearing to possess an individual and unique self. However, unbiased and irrefutable science and logic reveal that both humans and animals exist without an intrinsic and individual self. This misconception—rooted in our limited and deceptive senses—lies at the core of many human problems and conflicts beyond animal farming. Though our senses accurately capture certain aspects of reality, they do so under the false assumption that each being has a separate, individual self.

This misconception persists not because our senses are flawed beyond repair but because of our ingrained belief in selfhood and ignorance of reliable facts of existence. Our senses present physical forms that appear distinct, leading us to label them as separate entities. However, we are mistaken in assigning a unique “self” to each being.

Three Criteria for an “Individual Self”.

For animals or humans to possess an individual self, three conditions would need to be met. Each being would need to:

1. Exist as a singular entity.

2. Have an individual nature capable of producing itself.

3. Exist distinctly, beyond the labels our minds project.

If none of these criteria is met, then humans and animals cannot possess unique selves but exist in a selfless, interconnected reality.

Criterion 1: Are We Singular Beings?

A closer look reveals that neither humans nor animals are singular entities. Our physical bodies are composed of an infinite number of ever-smaller parts, which themselves consist of an infinite number of even smaller particles, none of which exist as singular units. Each particle lacks any individual inner nature that can generate them into existence, instead, each part is a product of everything else, the infinite number of interactions with countless others, creating an endless web of interdependence.

Similarly, the mind—whether viewed as a brain-based process or a consciousness—is not singular. It unfolds as a stream of consciousness, made up of ever-shorter, infinitely divisible moments. Each of these moments arises from the previous one, with none existing independently or as a singular stand-alone moment.

Thus, neither the physical nor the mental aspects of humans or animals exist as singular entities. Both are composed of innumerable, interdependent parts, making the concept of a “self” inherently flawed.

Criterion 2: Can Beings Produce Themselves?

Neither humans nor animals can produce themselves independently. Every living being lacks any unique or independent nature capable of producing them. Every being is the result of universal nature with its countless elements and web of interdependent processes and external conditions. What we call “my body” or “my mind” is an assembly of elements—carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and more—that were shaped by countless conditions stretching back to the beginningless origins of the universe.

This interconnected reality means that all beings are products of the same universal nature and lack any unique, individual essence. Humans and animals, like all things, are interconnected and selfless, unable to generate or sustain themselves independently.

Criterion 3: Do Distinctions Exist Beyond Labels?

The differences between humans and animals, or between any beings, exist only in the labels we assign. Our minds create terms like “human” and “animal” to categorize what we perceive, yet these labels exist only within our minds. They are not inherent properties of physical forms (bodies). Despite widespread belief, these names are merely mental constructs with no actual basis in the nature of beings.

Labeling occurs when the mind perceives physical phenomena and imposes conceptual categories onto them. For example, upon seeing a certain combination of selfless elements of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and more, we label it as “human” or “animal.” However, in reality, these beings are simply assemblies of countless physical parts. The label “human” or “animal” does not exist within the body or mind but only in our thoughts.

The Root of Human Misperception.

Our senses trick us into believing that humans and animals each have a self, even though this perception and experience is inaccurate. The truth is that we all share a collective, selfless essence that transcends labels and identities. The belief in individual selves is due to our ignorance of the true nature of existence.

This misunderstanding is the foundation of many human conflicts, negative emotions, and violence. Viewing animals as separate selves leads us to justify animal farming and exploitation, which results in profound suffering—not only for animals but also for ourselves because we are them. By ignoring the selfless nature of existence, we perpetuate harm and separation in a world where everything is deeply connected and identical.

The Consequences of Labeling and Separation.

Believing in intrinsic differences between beings leads us to treat labels as though they have an inherent reality outside of our minds. We believe that terms like “human” and “animal” reflect inherent qualities out there apart from our mind's label, yet they are only mental constructs. This misperception is held by the majority of humanity, including most scientists, learning and judicial institutions, etc.

If we were to remove these labels, we would see that all beings exist just fine without them. They exist in unity, without names or distinctions. Bodies continue to exist, but the labels we use—such as “human” or “animal”—are recognized as constructs of the mind that exist in no other place else. By acknowledging the selfless and label-free nature of existence, we dismantle the basis for justifying harm, ownership, and exploitation of animals that in truth are ourselves.

The Ethical and Existential Case Against Animal Farming.

With this understanding, it becomes clear that animal farming is an atrocity born of ignorance—a misguided belief in separateness that leads to widespread suffering. When we exploit or harm animals, we harm ourselves because, at the most fundamental level, we share the same selfless essence.

Ending animal farming is not merely about animal welfare; it is a matter of recognizing the true nature of existence. By embracing selflessness and rejecting false distinctions, we align ourselves with reality and foster compassion, understanding, and unity. Recognizing our oneness with all beings allows us to live in harmony with the universe rather than in opposition to it. Please read this article in you like to promote this topic.

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