Installment I:
Mikaela Miller
Philosophy
Dr. Oliver
13 December 2017
Philosophy of Veganism: Installment
II
It’s very
interesting to see that what we now consider veganism didn’t even exist until
1944. When I look to see how far we’ve come, I personally don’t believe that
the definition The Vegan Society gave veganism captures what being vegan is.
There are plenty of vegans that don’t consume animal product, but don’t go to
the extent to have all cruelty free toiletries. Some may even where a fur coat
in the winter! Many people are vegan because it can be viewed as barbaric, and
others because of simple health concerns.
There is a
very common stereotype on vegans and vegetarians that they’re “ die-hard animal
lovers.” Which plenty are, some less or more than others, and they view animal
consumption as simply barbaric. Vegan SA
states, “ Veganism acknowledges the intrinsic legitimacy of all life. It
rejects any hierarchy of acceptable suffering among sentient creatures. It is
no more acceptable to torment or kill creatures with "primitive nervous
systems" than those with "highly developed nervous systems". The
value of life to its possessor is the same, whether it be the life of a clam, a
crayfish, a carp, a cockroach, a cow, a chicken, or a child.” Vegans also
believe that harmony can not be a product of strife. Many vegan beliefs can
also identify in Buddhism because they strive to be mindful and aware of the
impact of their choices. Vegan SA also states that through this awareness, comes
inner-peace and self-fulfillment. With this, vegans see themselves as part of
Earth, as opposed to owners of it. Because of these beliefs, vegans are not far
from being environmentalists. In fact, vegans actually could be defined as
environmentalists. They both see that society overextends their authority into
an unnatural state, and both try to correct it with their way of living.
Vegans are
essentially rooted in normative ethics because they share some common ground
with utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and egoism. Egoism is defined as
“individual self-interest is the actual motive of all conscious action.” Egoist do what they feel is right, and what
is right is what is best for themselves. Oh My Vegan states, “...a vegan would
argue that the human being doesn’t have an inherent right to instrumentally use
animals or other resources as they see fit. Furthermore, the ability to manipulate and control
environments does not justify the
action of doing so; just because we can, doesn’t mean we ought to.” 
There are
also people that identify simply as “dietary vegans.” Many have chose to
exclude all animal product from their diet, but use products that were tested
on animals. This doesn’t mean that it’s what they prefer, but that their main
concern is their health. Harvard Magazine states, Veganism was at first closely
bound to the ideology of the animal-rights movement, she explains, which
initially aimed at a range of targets, like wearing fur and testing products on
animals. Once activists shifted focus to farm conditions and food, veganism
took on the features of what scholars call a “lifestyle movement.” Over time,
it’s become more closely associated with general environmental concerns and a
“healthism” mentality, bound up with notions of perfecting the body.” Veganism
has grown almost 500 times more popular than it was just a few years ago, and
this is due to the idea that this diet has many healing properties. I
personally have spoken with many people that watched “What the Health” on
Netflix, and that was enough to convince them! PETA has also stated that
veganism helps to slim down and become energized.
While these
two types of vegans may not see eye to eye on everything, they can both agree
that they feel happy and healthy!
Works Cited
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