Questions tagged [philosophy]

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20 votes
7 answers
968 views

Plants show intelligent behaviour, is this sufficient for moral consideration?

Recent research has revealed that plants are able to communicate, learn, and respond to harm. It has been argued that these behaviours constitute basic intelligence. Robert A. Freitas Jr. has ...
47 votes
19 answers
3k views

Reasons for being vegetarian or vegan other than ethical reasons?

I met a lot of people that, even though they have strong reasons for being vegan or vegetarian, or even work saving or helping animals, etc. have failed to follow their principles and ended up ...
5 votes
1 answer
88 views

What is a flexitarian?

I've heard the term used now and then in various contexts. What exactly is a flexitarian, and should it be classed as a dietary requirement? To my understanding, it really just means a person is ...
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do bivalves such as oysters feel pain or fear?

In moral arguments for veganism, the pain, stress, and fear experienced by animals is often given as an argument. I have read some arguments that vegetarians should be OK with eating oysters and ...
3 votes
2 answers
214 views

How to deal with narcissistic manipulation from anti vegans?

It is common practice from narcissistic individuals to accuse vegans of being part of a brain washed society or religion. This means one has two options: Defend veganism and by doing so proving in ...
5 votes
1 answer
133 views

In the Vegan Society's definition, what does practicable mean?

Veganism is a 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. The Vegan ...
7 votes
3 answers
135 views

Any major philosophy or ideology that promotes veganism?

In a similar question it was asked which major religions promote or require a vegetarian diet? Here I'm asking for something quite different: not a religion but a philosophy or ideology. I'm thinking ...
3 votes
1 answer
67 views

Does this quote by plant biologist Olivier Van Aken imply that plants can feel pain?

Olivier Van Aken, a plant biologist at the University of Western Australia, is often quoted (like here) as saying: While plants don’t appear to complain when we pinch a flower, step on them, or ...
4 votes
1 answer
160 views

Is it consistent with a vegan philosophy to buy and wear secondhand leather products? [closed]

The Vegan Society defines veganism as follows: Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals ...
11 votes
5 answers
925 views

Why is egg commonly allowed in vegetarian food?

Very often when talking about vegetarian food, in restaurants or on labels for food, eggs are considered as suitable for vegetarians. There are some labels "lacto-vegetarian" but not so common (at ...
11 votes
1 answer
599 views

Can birds suffer?

Birds have a reputation of having rather simple brains. Sure, they can react to stimuli to avoid danger and survive, e.g. if I kick a chicken it will probably try to avoid me, but is this just ...
8 votes
3 answers
228 views

Why is keeping backyard hens inconsistent with veganism?

If somebody keeps egg-laying hens in their backyard and makes sure they are loved and well cared-for, what's wrong with taking and eating their eggs from the perspective of veganism? If a person who ...
5 votes
1 answer
367 views

Is smoking consistent with vegan principles?

Can you be a vegan and smoke cigarettes? I ask the question because I saw many people using clothes with vegan logos and making vegan campaign smoking cigarettes. I've seen sites that say cigarettes ...
9 votes
2 answers
333 views

What are the main arguments against non-human animals holding intrinsic value?

The belief that animals hold intrinsic value is an important basis for animal rights. Wikipedia lists the main positions used as a basis for the intrinsic value of animals as: behaviouristic, ...
1 vote
2 answers
205 views

Would a vegetarian or vegan eat an animal killed by accident? [closed]

For example, assuming a vegan has no particular religion preventing them from eating pigs: if a pig dies because of an external event or accident, would cooking and eating the pig be consistent with ...
3 votes
1 answer
346 views

What are the strongest arguments against vegetarianism? [closed]

The majority of people are non-vegetarian and I am wondering what the strongest arguments against vegetarianism are.