Why vegan principles are the logical starting point

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What is it that stops people discussing animal cruelty, stops them considering ending their use of animals. They know more or less what happens to animals on farms, they know that the animal industry is implicated in cruelty, but they also know how much they want to eat animal foods. Humans all over the world are addicted to them. They can’t stop watching cooking shows on TV for new ways of preparing their favourite animal based dishes. And if people are addicted to their food they value their freedom of choice; they feel they have a right to choose from whatever is on sale in the shops, whether it be in the form of food or clothing or any other commodity that makes life more pleasant. On the face of things, it would seem unrealistic to hope that people would simply give up these (mainly) foods, not for their own health’s sake but for the sake of the animals. Humans aren’t yet ready to be that selfless. 

            Now, look at it another way. Foods and material comforts aside, is there something in life worth more than anything else, for which the ‘giving up’ of delicious foods would be but a small sacrifice. Some might suggest avoiding animal-based foods will preserve good health. Others though would suggest the need to preserve good ethics. For those of us who highly value ethics there is one central question. I ask myself  “What is my life for, beyond mere existence?”

            The way the world is at present, with it’s crass materialism and routine violence, it forces me to reflect on the extent I am personally involved in supporting such a world. Do I focus solely on myself. Is that a problem for many others? Is this why health enthusiasts are very often vegetarian but have no interest in promoting animal rights or looking any deeper than personal welfare?

            To effectively get to the bottom of things, we surely have to look at the human temperament. Look for clues as to HOW to reform our violent and self-centred natures, and then to attempt to change at that level before we try to change the world. And indeed, we can’t change the world directly until we are a living example of rebellion against violence and self-interest. Because food is so heavily connected with self-interest and violence and the use of food is so routine, this is surely where we must make a start. The first specific change most people need to make should be to the habits which are most damaging, most routine and least thought about. Which is why vegan principle is such an important starting line.