What Is Veganism?
The Vegan Society’s current definition of veganism is widely accepted and will be relied upon in our educational materials:
‘Veganism is 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; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.’
This definition highlights the focus, but not the full scope, of vegan philosophy. Veganism is the active expression of compassion toward all beings—human and non-human—as well as toward the planet. Vegans hold that violence and discrimination against animals and other humans are immoral.
Ultimately, veganism is a commitment to building a world where humans and animals can thrive together on fair terms. While this world may never be perfect or entirely free of harm, vegans believe it is a vision worth striving for.
WHY TEACH ABOUT VEGANISM?
Although the term ‘vegan’ was only coined by Donald Watson in 1944, as an area of study it has a rich and diverse history which provides invaluable resources for academic attainment and SMSC development.
Essentially, ethical veganism is a philosophy based on compassion. The recognition of the sentience and often spiritual status of animals (including abstention from eating them) has been postulated by philosophers since ancient times including Pythagoras, Ovid and Plutarch. Modern philosophers such as Peter Singer and Tom Reagan have continued in this tradition.
Great artists and writers like Da Vinci, Tolstoy, Kafka, Shaw and Stevenson advocated for the non-exploitation of animals and recognised the inextricable link between violence directed towards animals and humans. In the field of science, leading thinkers such as Einstein, Edison and Darwin believed that indifference and cruelty to animals was not only harmful to them but also to the human spirit. Yet despite these insights, the cruel exploitation of animals continues to grow.
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So many great thinkers and artists, who are relied upon to provide academic content for subjects across the curricula, can also provide valuable insights into the critical study of human-animal relations. With increasing levels of inter-personal violence, inequality, environmental destruction and climate change we need to re-examine our relationships with each other, animals and the planet. Teaching about ethical veganism encourages students to critically think about these crucial issues and brings hope for a more healthy, loving and sustainable future.
Our approach is commensurate with Ofsted’s own objective of putting SMSC ‘at the heart’ of school development. It requires schools to ‘think about the kind of people we aspire to be, the kind of world we aspire to create, and the kind of education we aspire to provide.’
How is veganism sometimes misunderstood?
How is veganism sometimes misunderstood?
Veganism is sometimes misunderstood as solely a stance against the exploitation of certain non-human animals, with limited scope for moral concern toward all sentient beings and the planet. Another misconception is that veganism is merely a dietary choice, with some even arguing it lacks sufficiency for health. Examining the history of the vegan movement helps clarify these misunderstandings.
In 1944, the pioneers of the vegan movement did not confine their cause to the ethical treatment of animals alone. They envisioned veganism as a philosophy with broad moral implications, benefiting all sentient beings, including humans. Donald Watson, one of the movement’s founders, advocated for a vegan lifestyle that would free land for ‘unexploited creatures to live natural lives’ and restore soil fertility.
An example of The Vegan Society’s commitment to sentient life is their stance on honey. In 1945, the Society decided to exclude honey from the vegan diet, as it was an insect product, to maintain consistency in their principle of non-exploitation of sentient beings.
In 2004, marking The Vegan Society’s 60th anniversary, Donald Watson continued to emphasize the wider benefits of the vegan philosophy:
‘It is a profound thought that so much can be achieved toward health and peace simply by placing man in his true place in nature which is not as a carnivore nor as a parasite. We can now offer, after long experience, a lifestyle that is humane, healthy, aesthetic, pleasant, economical and sustainable. No other movement offers all these together or indeed separately. Humbly we take our place in history among the world’s great reformers.’ (Donald Watson, The Vegan, Winter 2004, 10.)
The definition of veganism recently served as the foundation to establish ethical veganism as a cogent philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 in Casamitjana v. The League Against Cruel Sports (2020).
The judge determined ethical veganism was moralistically orientated and opposed to all forms of exploitation of all animals and embodied genuine philosophical concern for all sentient life.
It was founded upon a longstanding tradition recognising the moral consequences of non-human animal sentience which has been upheld by both religious and atheists alike. It was clear to the judge there was no conflict between veganism and human dignity as humans are sentient beings which equally need to be respected and protected.
The judge determined the belief was at its heart between the interaction of human and non-human animal life. The relationship between humans and other fellow creatures was plainly a substantial aspect of human life, it had sweeping consequences on human behaviour, and could constitute a belief which sought to avoid the exploitation of fellow species.
The judge also acknowledged veganism was increasingly recognised nationally, particularly because of the environmental benefits of vegan observance.
From its inception to today, the benefits of ethical veganism—enhancing the well-being of humans, animals, and the planet—are increasingly documented by social and natural scientists.
Veganism is also understood as a social justice movement, its narrative deeply intertwined with other social issues such as colonialism, racism, white supremacy, gender, class, disability, accessibility, poverty, and other inequalities. The intersectionality among these injustices is now increasingly integrated into the ethical veganism and animal rights advocacy landscape.
https://www.ethicalglobe.com/blog/why-veganism-is-a-human-rights-issue
https://viva.org.uk/blog/veganism-is-a-human-rights-issue-heres-why
https://www.animalaid.org.uk/veganism/why-veganism/going-vegan-for-human-rights/
Does veganism conflict with science and/or religion?
Does veganism conflict with science and/or religion?
Veganism does not inherently conflict with science or religion. Founded as a stand-alone secular belief in 1944, it was grounded in the science of its time and remains a secular philosophy today. However, it has roots in many religious and non-religious worldviews. While veganism may oppose specific scientific or religious practices that harm or exploit sentient beings, it does not fundamentally contradict these fields.
What sets ethical veganism apart as a worldview is its capacity to unite people across diverse backgrounds. Based on compassion for all sentient beings, it transcends organized religious boundaries, connecting individuals of various faiths, ages, genders, and political beliefs.
Moreover, many academics agree that science and religion are not in conflict. Research indicates that most scientists view them as operating in separate but complementary spheres.”
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2378023116664353
What do vegans tend to think about climate change and global warming?
What do vegans tend to think about climate change and global warming?
While ethical vegans often focus on the needless exploitation, commodification, and killing of animals—who lack representation—the philosophy of compassion underpinning veganism extends much further, encompassing the well-being of all living beings and the planet.
Indeed, vegans were early proponents of what we now call environmentalism and green issues. For vegans, the lifestyle encompassed a natural way of living that respected not just sentient beings but the very planet we inhabit. These ideals were not to gain mainstream popularity for some decades after.
Scientific evidence now confirms animal agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, responsible for at least 87% of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Animal agriculture worldwide encompasses 83% of farmland (but only accounts for 18% of the global calorie intake), and the direct consumption of animals as well as over-harvesting them is causing environmental degradation through habitat alteration biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and trophic interactions
https://climatehealers.org/the-science/animal-agriculture-position-paper/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impacts_of_animal_agriculture
Is there any synergy between vegan and gender issues?
Is there any synergy between vegan and gender issues?
Historically, there has been a significant synergy between gender issues and animal rights/vegan advocacy. Both movements can, in some respects, be seen as representing marginalized groups that face discrimination and unfair treatment. Since its inception, veganism has shared strong connections with the feminist movement, and many suffragettes were strict vegetarians or vegans. In 2023, The Vegan Society reported that an ‘overwhelming majority’ of vegans in the UK are women.
This gender differential can potentially be explained by research into the psychological and cultural factors of meat-eating which suggests correlations with masculinity, support for hierarchical values, and reduced openness to experience. These gender stereotypes are often called into question by veganism and the ‘myth’ of meat-eating equating to masculinity challenged in documentaries such as ‘Game Changers’.
As an inclusive movement, veganism is open to all, regardless of sex, gender, age, ability, ethnicity, or religious or non-religious beliefs.
https://veganfta.com/2023/03/09/the-intersectionality-of-feminism-and-veganism/
Do vegans celebrate any particular days or hold ceremonies?
Do vegans celebrate any particular days or hold ceremonies?
Vegans celebrate many religious and non-religious festivals, but the food eaten would be vegan and vegans wouldn’t want to be part of celebrations where animals were cruelly exploited or killed. There are of course lots of celebratory days, food and goods fairs, festivals and events organised by individual vegans and vegan organisations across the UK and internationally, for example:
- World Vegan Day – celebrated 1st November
- VegFest
- Vegan Campout
- Golden Rule Day – 5th April – Charter for Compassion – extending the circle of compassion to include humans, animals and the planet.
- World Animal Day – October 4th
- Veganuary
- National Animal Rights Day – first Sunday in June.
- Vegan Kids Campout
- VegMed – Europe’s largest medical conference on plant-based nutrition, bringing together top experts in the field of science, health and nutrition.
Do vegans find it difficult to live according to their philosophical belief?
Do vegans find it difficult to live according to their philosophical belief?
While living according to vegan principles may have once been challenging, the choice to adopt and maintain a vegan lifestyle is increasingly accessible, especially in the West. Information on the health and environmental benefits of veganism is now widely available, and the variety of plant-based food and drink options has expanded significantly in recent years.
Many vegans report that their current diets are more varied, flavorful, and exciting than when they consumed animal products. With a vast array of fruits, vegetables, and legumes to explore, along with numerous vegan cookbooks and recipes, the options are abundant. Additionally, plant-based alternatives now replicate the taste and texture of meat and dairy, easing the transition to a vegan diet. In the future, cultivated meat may offer another option.
Veganism, however, extends beyond diet. Vegans avoid venues and events where animals are exploited, such as circuses, zoos, horse racing, and marine parks, but they generally do not find this avoidance challenging. Instead, they seek alternative ways to appreciate animals, such as visiting farmed animal sanctuaries or observing wildlife in natural habitats. While some vegans have companion animals or rescue farmed animals, they generally avoid keeping exotic animals, like birds or fish, as these animals thrive best in the wild.
Vegans also refrain from wearing or using items made from animals and seek products that are ethically produced. The availability of vegan and cruelty-free goods has grown, making it easier than ever for vegans to find alternatives that align with their values.
For ethical vegans, adopting veganism is not a sacrifice or a trend; it’s a core part of their identity and moral framework. This commitment helps them avoid the cognitive dissonance of loving animals while simultaneously participating in practices that harm or kill them. Ethical veganism is, for many, an essential expression of their compassion and integrity. This is the main reason why vegans do not find it difficult to remain vegan.
Pythagoras
“For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.”
George Bernard Shaw
“While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth.”
