Final answer:
Characters may consider meat inferior due to philosophical beliefs against animal husbandry, the practical standpoint of human dominance in the food chain, and an existential perspective of human-animal separation and complexity of interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main characters might consider the meat to be inferior to themselves for various philosophical, practical, and existential reasons. From a philosophical standpoint, some individuals, particularly vegans, may avoid meat not just for sustainability but due to a desire to exclude animal husbandry from food production entirely. This view is highlighted in Purdy's addition that many vegans prefer to avoid animal products entirely rather than just for land sustainability. Practically, humans have placed themselves at the top of the food chain, exerting power through the act of killing and consuming animals, as suggested in the excerpt where humans see themselves as more powerful because they can kill and eat animals, yet also acknowledge the animals' power. Then there's the existential perspective, where humans see themselves as separate from animals, leading to a sense of superiority due to identity and capabilities. Moreover, as Brightman (1993) points out, humans have a complex relationship with animals, seeing them as benefactors, friends, victims, and adversaries all at once.