1830:
A Serious Shortage of Argument

 Edited by CJ Tointon

There's one thing which has probably occurred to vegans (and those moving towards veganism) but not occurred to those who have no interest. The uniqueness of ethical veganism. It's unique because it has no counter-argument. It's indisputable.



Ideally, kindness and compassion are considered paramount in our culture today. If someone is lying in the gutter, you don't assess his origins or clothing first - you simply go to his assistance. You'd react the same way if you came across an animal trapped or being attacked (hopefully).

We humans are natural rescuers. It's how we've been brought up. It's in our cultural genes. And that, in essence, is what veganism is all about - rescuing and defending the undefended, protecting the innocents, fulfilling our guardian role - no matter the cost to ourselves. If we look ahead to the future, we should see humans as custodians of our somewhat beleaguered planet. Vegan principle is a show of confidence in the idea of non-violence. I doubt if too many vegans would be interested in a military career!



One would have to be either very brave (or very stupid) to attempt an argument against vegan principle. To say that what humans do to animals is acceptable makes no sense. Enslaving them, mutilating them, killing them at abattoirs, is cruel by any measure. On top of that, what we do to ourselves by consuming all the cholesterol and saturated fat in meat and animal products, is doing untold damage to our health.



To argue that using animals is essential or reasonable is obviously open to question. Any argument in favour of meat eating or animal husbandry, just doesn't stand up. Not only is the 'Animal Industry' riddled with cruelty, its food products are a source of inefficient energy. And animal farming itself is an environmental disaster area. The whole 'animal business' makes no sense! We're involved with it out of habit. Our whole food and clothing setup is geared that way with thousands of unchallenged, unhealthy food products on the market and leather goods and woollen products dominating the clothing market. From birth, we've all been accustomed to these consumer items. They're what is readily available.