[vivaldirules]

It is sophistry. And there are few non-scientific subjects that don't involve making subtle distinctions which are open to it, in my opinion. Which is why I don't think that morality, ethics, and social norms are well suited for being set by anyone other than yourself. But sentience is a common basis for vegetarianism. And though I have no religious reasons for avoiding meat, I find that I am more likely to feel comfortable killing and eating a carrot than a cow.