Although not all arguments in favor of vegetarianism depend on an ethical foundation (for instance, someone could believe that such a practice is simply healthier than a diet containing meat) most do, in fact, ultimately resolve themselves to questions concerning the moral status of non-human animals. Why, then, do apparently ever increasing numbers of individuals believe that killing and eating such creatures is morally wrong? This paper discusses the different sides to this issue and examines and the philosophy behind these sides.