On Apr 23, 9:38*am, dgk wrote:

So, the answer then is no, I would not starve my cats to maybe have
them live longer, nor will I do the same for myself. As for the 1000
or so folks living on that diet, have some chocolate.

Amen to that. Generally, if we take Hobbes' view on life in the
'natural state' (solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short), there
would be no reason to prolong it. All-and-at-the-same-time, those who
take that attitude tend also to be desparately fearful of death and so
would be the first to starve themselves to achieve more of that same
solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short life.

Those who realize that a good life entails risks - and the goodness
*almost* has a linear relationship to those risks - understand the
epicurean approach - all things in moderation, free of fear.

Keeping cats as adjuncts to our egos without fully recognizing *AND*
providing for their natures and needs is first-order cruelty.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA