[Linkpost] “Eating Honey is (Probably) Fine, Actually” by Linch

I wrote a reply to the Bentham Bulldog argument that has been going mildly viral. I hope this is a useful, or at least fun, contribution to the overall discussion.

“One pump of honey?” the barista asked.

“Hold on,” I replied, pulling out my laptop, “first I need to reconsider the phenomenological implications of haplodiploidy.”

Recently, an article arguing against honey has been making the rounds. The argument is mathematically elegant (millions of bees, fractional suffering, massive total harm), well-written, and emotionally resonant. Naturally, I think it's completely wrong.

Below, I argue that farmed bees likely have net positive lives, and that even if they don't, avoiding honey probably doesn't help them. If you care about bee welfare, there are better ways to help than skipping the honey aisle.

Source

Bentham Bulldog's Case Against Honey

Bentham Bulldog, a young and intelligent [...]

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Outline:

(01:16) Bentham Bulldog's Case Against Honey

(02:42) Where I agree with Bentham's Bulldog

(03:08) Where I disagree

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First published:

July 2nd, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/znsmwFahYgRpRvPjT/eating-honey-is-probably-fine-actually

Linkpost URL:
https://linch.substack.com/p/eating-honey-is-probably-fine-actually

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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