[WorkLobster]

This question seems to be becoming more popular lately. My own understanding is that most people are apprehensive about killing because it involves denying another being self-actualisation and/or causing its suffering, both of which by our current understanding seem to require a central nervous system.

I would also add though that if you want to minimize plant death, the best course of action is to stop eating meat and animal products and aim for a plant-based diet, since (by thermodynamics!) the number of plants needed to feed these animals vastly outstrips what would deliver the same amount of nutrients to a human eating them directly.

[Ekaros]

Actually deeply thinking of plant lifecycle and morality of it all is interesting question. Is it morally more wrong to feed grass to cow after it has shed its seed than to eat fruits and prevent their seeds from spreading? Clearly in first case plant is already dying, but has done it's life and procreation. On other hand later case is clear exploitation comparable to abortion.

[christkv]

I mean fruit exist to be eaten so the seeds can be shat out somewhere else. It’s part of the reproductive cycle for many plants.

[Ekaros]

Probably should have been clearer about us eating them and shitting in toilet where it ends up in sewage treatment with no chances of ever sprouting...

[soperj]

Generally grazers don't kill plants though, they eat grasses that continue to grow.

[tkzed49]

sure, but if your rationale is that killing a plant causes suffering, then would damaging it not do the same?