Category: Philosophy

Compassion for All?

10/18/2018

Is it possible to feel compassion for people whose ethics and behavior clash with the core values of veganism?

Q:
I am keenly aware of your views on compassion for all living things -- even humans who think it is acceptable to eat meat, or humans who think they were put on this earth to dominate animals and eat their flesh, or humans who use animals for entertainment, or humans who think that war is necessary or that hunting is valuable. I find myself unable to reach such levels of empathy. I am not even charitable enough to excuse them simply because they do not know how animals suffer for trivial human purposes. How do you find it in your heart to be open to such people? Why do you allow them such latitude?

The Importance of Laughter: Rediscovering Humor in a Cynical World

8/9/2018

If we immerse ourselves solely in sadness and suffering, that is all that we will notice.

Q:
I used to pride myself on my wonderful sense of humor, but having awakened to the endless suffering of animals, it has become increasingly difficult for me to find amusement in the world. Instead, I find myself growing cynical and angry.

Is Veganism Only for the Affluent?

5/3/2018

Is a vegan lifestyle elitist and only for the privileged?

Q:
I understand the appeal of a vegan lifestyle, and its importance from an emotional, health, and environmental perspective, but I worry that the commitment is one of privilege. It can be very time-consuming and expensive to live a dedicated vegan lifestyle. People from a lower economic status may not have the resources (a computer, for example), time, or money to research veganism or buy product alternatives.

Should I Treat If They Eat Meat?

3/8/2018

A true gift takes into account the preferences of the recipient.

Q:
What should I do when I take meat-eating friends out to lunch and I offer to treat? I'm really disturbed by the thought of paying for a meat meal, but I feel equally uncomfortable saying, “Sorry, but I won't spend my money on increasing the suffering of animals.”

Will Veganism Make a Difference?

2/22/2018

Should the effect our ethical choices have on other people matter?

Q:
An acquaintance of mine recently found out that my boyfriend and I are vegan and was curious to know why. He said he hoped it wasn’t to “save the cows” because it won’t work -- one person not eating animal products isn't going to change anything. I explained that I wasn’t the only one and that there are quite a few vegans around the world. He still insisted that nothing will change because people's food habits are culturally ingrained.

Should We Prioritize Our Compassion?

12/7/2017

Should concerns about animals take a back seat to concerns about other people?

Q:
I had been vegetarian for many years and then became vegan, but I struggled with an ethical dilemma. After spending several months working overseas in Guatemala, I questioned whether veganism is for me. Aside from the dietary struggles facing a vegan in the poorer countries of the world, I faced some value conflicts. After seeing the extreme poverty and suffering of many Guatemalans, the plight of animals just seemed less important.

How Much Is Enough?

10/26/2017

How can we distinguish between extravagance and necessity, desire and need?

Q:
In your writings you've mentioned that it's important for everyone to "learn how to maintain a comfortable and responsible balance between austerity and excess." This is something I grapple with every day. Do you have any suggested questions that I could ask myself when I'm in the midst of decision-making that would help me determine if my choices fit somewhere between the two?

Instilling Vegan Values

9/21/2017

When it comes to food choices, where does a parent's rule end and a child's independence begin?

Q:
Most vegans seem to be concerned about how meat-eating parents react to nonconforming vegan teens. But what if the tables were turned? What if a child was raised vegan but later began eating meat against the family’s wishes? In that event, what should parents do?

Animal Suffering: Is There a Karma Connection?

8/3/2017

Is the suffering of animals an unavoidable consequence of their past lives?

Q:
Recently a friend and I decided to attend a vegetarian conference to find out what the fuss is all about. After discovering the countless reasons for becoming vegan, I decided to adopt the lifestyle. However, my friend is still adamant about eating meat. He strongly believes in karma and thinks that all the suffering that's brought upon the animals is just a part of the natural spiritual cycle.

Are Vegans Driven by Guilt?

6/1/2017

Is guilt a good motivator to become vegan?

Q:
After being a vegetarian for about seven years, I developed lactose intolerance and a severe gluten allergy. I began avoiding dairy products for this reason. (I already intensely disliked eggs, so not eating them was a no-brainer for me.) After reading several articles about how animals are bred for food and other commodities, I was reluctant to use dairy products with reduced lactose content because I felt extremely guilty knowing the conditions dairy cows live in. Are feelings of guilt the reason why people choose to go vegan?

Strategies for Activism

4/20/2017

Is there a right way to go about activism?

Q:
I have fastened a “Meat Is Murder” pin on my one-year-old son’s jacket in the hopes that it will get people to think about the message, but I’m not sure if this strategy is a good idea.

Following Vegan Idols

10/21/2016

Whether the decision to be vegan is temporary or permanent, it can have lifelong positive consequences."

Q:
I am the mother of a fifteen-year-old who has suddenly decided to become vegan because the lead singer of one of her favorite rock bands is vegan. While I applaud her decision and will support her all the way, I'm afraid that her obvious crush on this rock star will fade along with her new vegan lifestyle, or that she will find it too difficult to comply with not eating meat, dairy, eggs, and cheese.

Is "Humane" Farming OK?

9/26/2016

The issue at hand isn't one of priorities but realities.

Q:
I've been bouncing back and forth between being a vegan or vegetarian and an omnivore for several years now. I spend a lot of time on animal rights sites, and I've noticed that many of the arguments against consuming meat are based on current factory farming methods. It's almost as though if animals were raised on storybook farms and then slaughtered it would be permissible. Wouldn't it be worse to slaughter an animal that had more personalized care and was treated better?

Are Vegans Less Violent?

3/13/2016

The only way to effectively measure aggression is through behavior.

Q:
Several people have asked me if it is true that meat eaters are more aggressive than vegans, on a physiological level, that is. I am not sure how to respond and would appreciate any feedback you may have.

Am I Vegan for the Right Reasons?

3/6/2016

Reverence for our own lives and health is a central component of fully being vegan.

Q:
I have been researching becoming a vegan, but when I tell people close to me that I want to become a vegan, the big question always comes up: Why?

Grassroots Vegan
Q&As

Compassion for All?

The Importance of Laughter: Rediscovering Humor in a Cynical World

Is Veganism Only for the Affluent?

Should I Treat If They Eat Meat?

Will Veganism Make a Difference?

Should We Prioritize Our Compassion?

How Much Is Enough?

Instilling Vegan Values

Animal Suffering: Is There a Karma Connection?

Are Vegans Driven by Guilt?

Strategies for Activism

Following Vegan Idols

Is "Humane" Farming OK?

Are Vegans Less Violent?

Am I Vegan for the Right Reasons?

Jo Stepaniak

Subscribe!

About

Blog

Essays

Books

Contact

Grassroots Vegan​Q&As

Jo Stepaniak

Subscribe!

Grassroots Vegan
Q&As