The Friendly Humanist explains the rationale for his vegetarianism:

“I recently read an essay called “Speciesism“, in which philosopher and Humanist Anthony Grayling draws parallels between the general current attitude to other species and historical attitudes to “lesser” segments of humanity - lesser races, the lesser sex, those with lesser spiritual beliefs. [Grayling says:]”

‘We locate a difference that we find threatening, or that we despise; we thereby make the other fully Other, so that we can close the door of the moral community against him, leaving him outside where our actions cannot be judged by the same standards as apply within.’

“I found myself connecting his arguments to my eating of meat. Every time I eat meat - a steak, a burger, a chicken wing, even a hot dog - I am participating in the death of another being. [...]“

“So here we are, several days and some heavy, philosophical conversations later. We are adjusting our diet to accommodate the rational consequences of our consciously-held values. We know we have the support and encouragement of our vegetarian friends.”

Sections: Vegan Theory
Topics: Theory, veg, Vegan