About Veganism

What is Veganism?

The answer to the question “What is veganism?” sounds like it should be a simple one, and in many ways, it is. However, the common perception of veganism is often incomplete or inaccurate, and it doesn’t always reflect how vegans understand our own philosophy and movement. The Vegan Society, who first coined the term veganism, defines it as:

“A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”

You’ll find many definitions of veganism, but this remains the most widely recognised and authoritative. Before we unpack it, it would probably help to clarify what veganism is not.

Veganism is Not Just a Diet

It’s true that discussions about veganism, especially online, often focus heavily on food. The food that we eat is certainly a big part of being vegan, but veganism is not Buddha bowls, faux meats, or aesthetic smoothie bowls. It isn’t a food trend or a wellness diet.

Veganism is a philosophy and a way of living. Veganism includes a dietary component, but it goes far beyond what we put on our plates.

Someone who eats a fully plant-based diet but doesn’t extend that philosophy to other areas of life may describe themselves as plant-based. All vegans eat a plant-based diet, but not everyone who eats plant-based is vegan.

Veganism is Not a Boycott

It can be tempting to think of veganism purely in terms of avoidance – vegans don’t eat this, vegans don’t buy that. But defining veganism only by what is excluded misses something important.

At its core, veganism is a positive philosophy – it is about what we can choose to do. It’s about how we can reduce harm, live more intentionally, and relate differently to the animals with whom we share our world. It is not a philosophy of restriction, but of recognition of the rights of other animals and how we can build a better relationship with them.

Veganism is Not a Complete Ethical System

Veganism is not a rigid rulebook, nor is it a complete moral framework covering every ethical question. There are no ten commandments of veganism, nor is there any central authority to dictate what is and is not vegan.

While veganism overlaps with many social justice and environmental movements, at its heart it is a specific ethical stance regarding our treatment of animals. It doesn’t offer a complete guide on our ethical behaviour in all scenarios, and it doesn’t offer clear guidance on how we should approach other moral issues.

Most vegans frame our philosophy in terms of animal rights, while others focus on harm reduction or welfare. Regardless, the core idea is consistent: Animals sentient individuals who morally matter, rather than existing solely for us to exploit.

Veganism offers guiding principles rather than strict rules, it acknowledges nuance and recognises that life is rarely simple.

The Core Principle

The central idea behind veganism is one shared by many moral philosophies: Do less harm.

Veganism is about treading more lightly in the world and reducing unnecessary suffering where we reasonably can. It fully acknowledges that living a life entirely free from harm is not possible, which is why the phrase “as far as is possible and practicable” is so important.

Veganism doesn’t demand perfection, it just asks for intention and effort.

Veganism offers a practical way for many of us to reduce our contribution to animal exploitation. As vegans, we believe that animals have morally relevant interests of their own, including an interest in continuing to live.

We believe that the lives of other creatures are valuable in their own right, and that they not merely resources for humans to use. It is a simple philophy in many ways, but demands much of us in terms of moral behaviour and our treatment of other sentient beings.

Veganism in Practice

I often like to describe the word “vegan” as a verb, as a doing rather than a descriptor of a kind of person. The acknowledgement that animals morally matter is not just an empty slogan, or a radical idea that we pay lip-service to.

As vegans, we avoid taking part in exploiting animals to the extent that we are able to. For most of us, this means adopting a plant-based diet, avoiding all animal fabrics, animal tested cosmetics, and avoiding engagement with animal entertainment industries, such as a circuses or zoos.

I say “most us us,” because what it is possible to avoid will differ for some people. Not everyone is able to adopt a diet that is 100% plant-based, because of their health, living situation or location. Similarly, many of us depend on animal tested medication, or make use of items like leather boots that we purchased before we were vegan.

Some vegans will insist on a very strict definition for who can and cannot be vegan, but for most of us, there is room for nuance and flexibility. If an individual is truly doing their best to avoid animal exploitation as far as is possible and practicable for them, then they are vegan. As in all ethics, intention matters far more than perfection.

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