If you can kill animals, the same attitude can kill human beings.

Opening Scene – Narrated by Host
The café was quieter now, with only the soft murmur of conversations and the occasional clink of coffee cups filling the air. Jack sat at a table near the window, his coffee untouched, staring out into the street. The late afternoon light cast a warm, golden hue across the room, but Jack seemed lost in thought, absorbed by something deeper—perhaps about violence, exploitation, or the connection between how we treat nature and each other.

Across from him, Jeeny noticed the contemplative look on Jack’s face. She could tell he was reflecting on something profound—perhaps the impact of human actions on the environment and the connections between attitudes toward violence in nature and society. She decided it was the right moment to bring up a quote that could guide their conversation toward a deeper exploration of these themes.

Host: The soft murmur of the café faded into the background as Jeeny’s voice broke the silence. The conversation was about to shift toward something more complex—the relationship between violence, exploitation, and how these attitudes manifest in both our treatment of nature and of human beings.

Character Descriptions
Jack
In his early 30s, Jack was a thinker who often found himself reflecting on the interconnectedness of life—how the choices we make in one area of life can affect others. His grey eyes showed a quiet intensity, always analyzing the deeper forces that shape human actions. Jack had a deep respect for nature, but he also wrestled with the broader implications of exploitation and violence. His voice was steady, but there was a weight of contemplation in his tone as he tried to understand how attitudes toward nature could reflect larger patterns in human behavior.

Jeeny
Late 20s, Jeeny had a natural sensitivity to the world around her. Her dark eyes were perceptive, always noticing the ways people interacted with both nature and society. Jeeny believed in the importance of compassion and interconnection, seeing that the way we treat the earth and its creatures often reflects how we treat each other. Her voice was calm yet assertive, guiding Jack to think about the connections between our treatment of nature and our attitudes toward violence and war.

Host
The silent observer, attuned to the subtle shifts in the conversation. The Host understood that sometimes the most profound realizations came when people reflected on the connections between how we exploit nature and how those same attitudes could manifest in the treatment of human beings.

Main Debate

Jeeny: She set her coffee cup down gently, her voice thoughtful but firm. “Jack, I came across something by Satish Kumar that really made me think. He said, ‘If you can kill animals, the same attitude can kill human beings. The mentality is the same which exploits nature and which creates wars.’ What do you think of that?”

Jack: He looked up, a solemn expression crossing his face. “That’s a powerful statement. It’s a bit unsettling, but it’s true. If we don’t think twice about exploiting nature, how can we expect to treat people any differently? The same attitude of dominance and control that justifies killing animals for food, sport, or profit is the mentality that leads to war and violence among humans. It’s about seeing something—someone—as lesser, something to be exploited or controlled.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. When we objectify nature, when we treat animals and the earth as resources to be used for our benefit, we lose sight of the interconnectedness of life. That mentality doesn’t just stop at nature—it spills over into how we treat each other. It creates a mindset where violence becomes justifiable, because we’ve become accustomed to treating other beings—human or animal—as expendable.”

Jack: “I never thought of it like that. We often think of violence in human society as something separate from our attitudes toward nature, but maybe they’re more connected than we realize. If we can disregard the well-being of other living things, it becomes easier to disregard the well-being of people, too. The same attitude that enables the destruction of nature can easily be transferred to how we treat people, especially in times of conflict.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and it’s not just about killing or direct violence. It’s also about the ways we exploit and dominate—in our treatment of animals, the environment, and each other. The mentality is about control, the belief that we have the right to do whatever we want with what’s in front of us, whether it’s an animal, a person, or the land itself. It’s that sense of entitlement that leads to exploitation and violence.”

Host: The energy in the café seemed to shift as Jack’s expression softened, a realization beginning to take shape. The connection between how we treat nature and how we treat each other was becoming clearer, and the conversation was deepening into something more reflective—about human responsibility and compassion.

Jack: “I think I understand now. It’s not just about what we do in the world—it’s about the mindset behind it. If we view everything as something to be controlled or used, then we create a world where exploitation and violence are normalized. It’s not just about individual acts—it’s about a broader attitude toward life.”

Climax and Reconciliation

Jeeny: “Exactly. The way we treat the earth and its creatures should be a reflection of how we treat each other. Compassion, respect, and understanding should guide our interactions with both the natural world and with other people. When we exploit one, we open the door for exploitation of the other. The challenge is to shift that mentality, to recognize the value in all life, not just our own.”

Jack: “And that shift starts with how we view others—human and non-human. If we start seeing the world as interconnected, if we approach everything with respect and compassion, then we create a society that values life in all its forms. Maybe that’s where true peace begins—when we treat nature, animals, and each other with the same level of respect.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about creating a world where violence is no longer acceptable, where compassion leads the way. If we can change our attitudes toward nature and the creatures that inhabit it, we might just be able to change our attitudes toward each other as well.”

Host: The light in the café seemed warmer now, and the conversation had deepened into a realization that the connection between how we treat the environment and each other is inextricable. The way we view and treat nature reflects how we treat one another—violence and exploitation are rooted in the same mentality, but compassion and respect offer a way forward.

Outside, the world continued on its usual rhythm, but inside the café, Jack had come to understand that the way we treat the world and each other reflects our core beliefs. By changing our mindset and embracing compassion, we can create a world where violence and exploitation no longer have a place, and where respect for all forms of life leads to true peace.