'the logic of the larder'. There could never exist as many cows in a state of nature as are supported right now, for similar reasons to why the earth could not support 7 billion human hunter-gatherers. Is the cow suicidal and would prefer to have never been? If not, then the cow is right to praise the farmers.
That's horrible logic. We can make far more humans than 7 billion if we are willing to accept a bare minimum standard of living. Should we? Should the new humans praise us for doing this?
That doesn't answer the question. Given that cows could not exist in their current numbers unless they were going to be eaten, why shouldn't they be grateful?
I find it hard to believe that cows care much about the average, and there's good reason that average utilitarianism is not very popular in population ethics.
