Veganism as political solidarity: Beyond ‘ethical veganism’

Veganism is commonly described as the attempt to avoid, far possible, exploitation and consumption of animals animal products. While some people choose plant-based diet associated with veganism for health or other self-interested reasons, majority philosophical work on topic has been devoted discussion ethical justification (i.e., ‘ethical veganism’). Some argue that it a moral imperative if we take rights interests seriously (e.g., Francione & Charlton, 2013; Mason Singer, 1980). Others regard necessity are live up our duties sustainably possible (Fox, 2000), minimize public risks (Melina et al., 2016; Vyas, 2019; Walker 2005). Still others hold supported by religious spiritual reasons (Kemmerer, 2012). These justifications are, course, not mutually exclusive. And yet, have questioned whether concern really does entail vegan (Davis, 2003 (on field deaths), but cf. Fischer Lamey, 2018; Fischer, 2019 backyard chickens); 2019, chap. 9, Reese, 2018 cultured meat); Milburn, 2015 pet food)). link between sustainability (Mackenzie, 2020). Furthermore, small minority dismiss because they reject idea having (Hsiao, 2017); while accept animals, either too demanding (Schwitzgebel Rust, 2014), certain harmful consequences in its own right 2020), leading causally desired effects (Harris Galvin, 2012; Kahn, 2021) or, turn, overreach (Mills, 2019). We these debates important, miss out crucial feature veganism: political dimension. By referring ‘political’ primarily mean two things: addresses routine harms created social structures systems which members community responsible virtue their connection them; form activism be conducted collectively, solidarity, others.1 1 For accounts speak explicitly strategy movement, see Giroux Larue (2019), Gruen Jones (2015), Roeder (2021) Dickstein al. (Forthcoming). each make important contributions reformulation veganism, none proposes focus solidarity develop this paper. In making case, offer what call ‘normative reconstruction’ an account draws real-world practice, developing normatively desirable directions.2 2 Dutkiewicz might object term should solely ‘conduct-descriptive’: i.e., only used describe practice abstaining from understand calls parsimony, nevertheless granted why agents adopt particular practices, well should. reconstruction faithful understanding normative endeavor distinct from, say, dietary practices herbivorous animals. To clear, then, aim provide descriptive aimed at capturing all existing veganism. Instead, seeks us (vegans non-vegans alike) recognize embrace dimension Crucially, remains agnostic questions concerning theory true best explains status Rather, fact support widely accepted now counts among values most communities, including those still exploiting systematically (Special Eurobarometer 442, n.d.; 2015; YouGov, view, role thus vie right(eous)ness, highlight discrepancy practice. Indeed, claim many vegans, choices need follow fully worked-out imperative. drawing Scholz (2008), acts behalf resist injustice. useful fruitful way individuals conceive (at least) three reasons. First, case made first part paper, conceives activism, connecting primary end: overturn oppression non-human Second, second alters expands commitments vegans. can grouped into non-vegans, goal itself. finally, point suggested throughout means around rather beside point. Drawing Iris Marion Young (2003), grounded ‘social connection’ Fundamentally, connects widespread regarding duty toward institutional transformations required create societies without oppression; hence label ‘veganism’. words, commitment do even consider personally morally obliged avoid Historically, ‘solidarity’ closely plight nor behalf; knowledge, until linked comprehensive way.3 3 studies circles, language employed individual scholars, like Coulter (2016, 2017) Essen Allen (2017), yet talking about per se. group Animal Rebellion, though context of, first, Extinction and, second, UK farmers. usually fight justice: various forms human oppression, aid humans when struck misfortune, build institutions mutual care pensions. Moreover, sociological humanistic concept Wilde, Scholz, 2008 overview debate). part, considered cause justice. But also thinkers require there agency beneficiaries solidaristic actions, which, purpose will lacking animals.4 4 Note accepting lack purposes It debate engage here. claims such agency, Meijer (2013) Donaldson Kymlicka (2011). alternative denies Pepper (2021). view sees ‘more-than-human-solidarity’ something directed enacted others, Rock Degeling (2015). If oppressed stand one another, who act behalf, any meaningfully activism? think can, demonstrate how through employment philosopher Sally Scholz's pioneering solidarity. section, introduce political—as distinguished civic—solidarity, her distinction ‘with’ ‘on of’ others. then show reconceptualised justice The final section asks reconceptualisation affects become vegan. (Scholz, 2008), usefully identifies distinguishes ‘Social solidarity’ she gives shared feelings bind together. As term, communities good, bad indifferent unimportant—social may (or not) exist individuals. ‘Civic solidarity’, hand, refers framework within society vulnerable it. examples civic welfare healthcare justified desert wider community. Finally, ‘political address example injustice “human origin” 2008, pp. 54 205). entails range subsidiary commitments, namely join victims, community, goal. main candidate acceptance related endorsed both necessarily suffering them. ‘solidary group’, consists affected affiliated Though mentions vegetarianism later 2013) impossible world, victims unable share Presumably appropriate enculturation into, conceptual politics organize another overturning seeking agree currently case. Importantly, though, end ‘solidarity animals’ story Scholz. She acknowledges activists other. argues whose lives improve just option ‘a hallmark recognizing 2013, p. 82). contingent upon bonds formed clear acknowledgement anthropocentric. paternalistic animals' perspectives feed meaningful ways (more Section 3.2). key tackle specific identifiable cause.5 5 paper use terms ‘injustice’ injustice’ interchangeably. ‘oppositional politics’ 34). such, same humanitarian help due to, natural disaster. identify pledge caused actors, structures. vegans exactly kind origins west, expressed Donald Watson, co-founder Vegan Society (Potts Armstrong, 2018, 395). extent, speaks veganism's heritage. that, today, differ widely, traditional motivation relates tackling defines “… living exclude—as practicable—all cruelty …” (The Society, n.d.). Deborah Kalte (2020, 11) reviewed empirical analysis motives aims concluded demonstrates indeed vast politically motivated lifestyle induce change large.” Veganism, choice identity, change. Just bell hooks avoids declaring ‘I am feminist’ prefers advocate feminism’ signal collective oneself, so regarded ‘advocating veganism’ (see 61), meaning collectively agitating oppression. admit disagreements precise ‘animal oppression’, implications strategies Garner, 2010).6 6 Contrast here (Forthcoming) connected ‘total liberation’. sense, resistance movement. movements, core concerns. would seem commitments: rate sentient phenomenally conscious) worth cannot reduced value beings; bridges decidedly nature: relate routinized violence, death visited benefit responsible. takes bred, held slaughtered industrialized agriculture, areas perpetrated—in biomedical pharmaceutical sector, business, zoos, circuses sport, on—come remit too. Of wonder Many driven personal compassion quite different commitment. response, acknowledge arise compassionate feelings.7 7 Compassion formation protection organizations RSPCA, Albert Schweitzer Foundation World Farming forces drive work. addition, people, been, inspired ineffable, sometimes quasi-religious feelings, produce insights transcend rational explanation. However, factor comes down This differentiates unexpected weather event, state failure rescue, shelter look after victims. compassion, makes latter political. light, unequivocally understanding, isolated perpetrated against suffering, malnourished wild animal. systemic visits Put simply, recognizes, confronts facilitate 194). reason boycott products (Dickstein Forthcoming). rejection represents acknowledgment (Young, 2003). corporations, institutions, economic than cruel inevitably entwined oppressive seems Understanding current Take, example, objection ‘futile’ given never completely disentangle ourselves Such critics often products: vegetables grown cow manure working field; non-leather shoes non-biodegradable plastics short life-spans; avocado production involves migratory beekeeping; (Gruen Jones, 2015). no shame failing ‘morally pure’. world better, perfect, place. So, negatively impacting unavoidable live, must forever. move Relatedly, arguments admonishing seen supposedly absurd eradicate (think ‘the problem predation’, ‘wild suffering’) mark.8 8 tout court, directly cause. conclude concerned much more consuming scientific experiments Horta, 2010; MacMahan, injustices humans, (if you place), metaphysical nature “calculated” offspring mortality). reiterate, purity perfection, humans. good (whether moral, both) (Horta, 2017), entailed ‘causally impotent’? Here individual's anything (Budolfson, Harris 2021). reduce question likely impact one's immediate choices. views little taking action gain, including, casting vote. After all, ballot highly unlikely difference Nefsky, (Norcross, 2020) impotent, response offers approach. neither assessed costs benefits individual, agent. reframe acts, performed conjunction rationale sense. relevant issue perform act; rather, pursue goal, Schlozman 1995). leaves original place: decision decisive success cause? helpfully cashed Young's (2006) model’ responsibility. ‘connected’ bears responsibility it—even ‘blamed’ refuse leave renege responsibilities Tuck, 2008). keen distinguish ‘liability’ models seek identify—and blame—individual perpetrators 2003, 3) neglects realities ‘structural injustice’: harms, wrongs, isolatable perpetrator; result participation millions institutions.” structural sustained routine, legal normal practices. certainly picture injustice: breeding slaughter subsidized states, flesh socially ‘normal’, diets requiring special labels (veganism, vegetarianism, etc.) them (Matsuoka Sorenson, 2014). deeply embedded societies—animal ingredients found everything plastic bags, make-up, cars, banknotes on—it abstract, reality? Again, model helpful concrete determined factors 2003): injustice, power it, privilege (fleshed benefited injustices). abstract differentiated. Powerful corporations run profit industrial farming politicians subsidize work, obviously very cease redirect resources energies. Our this, since levels connection, privilege, ways. where so, “joining others” 5). boycotts consumer action—as conventional ‘state-centred activism’—are discharging 6). On basis, universal obligation confident wealthy privileged enough unduly burdened enjoy easy access (healthy food, medicines, clothes more) derived impossibly demanding? (2008, 254), compelled every demandingness obligations Mills, ‘moral overreach’). recent Bob (2019) arrives similar conclusion: reasonable amount discretion projects pursue. lot contemporary societies; everyone incredibly demanding. opportunities pick goals order define identities life; instead, fundamentally, receiving owed. particularly grave wrongs demand responses (Miller, 2017). Hence, Rawls's (Rawls, 1999, 293–294) maintain taken lightly—even exploit lie heart veganism—like abstention demands animal-free science—are minorities conceptions life. So far, argued thought Vegans theoretical nothing ‘in solidarity’. conceptualisations (Prainsack Buyx, 2012, 346; Rippe, 1998, 356; always positive More specifically, 78) enters others: themselves; solidary group; society; explore looking do, acting 74), passive individualistic: relation transforms individuals, actions. 74) points transformed tied commitment: “In ordinary actions done reflective manner actively engages challenges resists system perceived unjust oppressive.” excellent description happens eating foods combined food becomes ‘unconventional participation’ (Kalte, 2020); activism. seen, pertain, carried isolation, occur concert group. Perhaps obvious continued undoubtedly ongoing undertaking strive undertake sporadically, Mondays, month January. v