In this collection of articles, I examine and respond to some of the most common arguments used to defend the exploitation of animals or to criticise veganism.
These articles are not intended to be exhaustive, academic treatments of each topic. Rather, they are designed as practical reference pieces, helping readers reflect on these arguments more carefully and respond to them in a thoughtful, informed way.
Justifications for Eating Animals
- “Eating animals is normal.”
- “Eating animals is natural.”
- “Eating animals is necessary.”
- “Humans have always eaten animals.”
- “Eating animals is a personal choice.”
- “Eating animals is part of our culture.”
- “Eating animals can be humane.”
- “I can love animals and still eat them.”
- “Animals are bred to be eaten.”
- “Animals also eat other animals.”
- “If we don’t eat farmed animals, they will overpopulate the planet”
- “If we don’t eat farmed animals, they will go extinct.”
- “Humans are at the top of the food chain.”
Criticisms of Veganism
- “Plants are alive, too.”
- “It is impossible to be 100% vegan.”
- “Veganism is not cruelty free.”
- “Veganism puts farmer’s jobs and the economy at risk.”
- “Vegan fabrics are just plastic.”
“To be ‘for animals’ is not the be ‘against humanity.’ To require others to treat animals justly, as their rights require, is not to ask for anything more nor less in their case than in the case of any human to whom just treatment is due. The animal rights movement is a part of, not opposed to, the human rights movement. Attempts to dismiss it as anti-human are mere rhetoric.”
–Tom Regan