(i) It’s not clear to me that the vegan-vegetarian distinction makes sense, as I believe, for example, that consuming eggs or milk can be more harmful (in terms of animal suffering) than certain forms of meat consumption.
(ii) Related to (i) (and to Paul_Christiano’s point re “other ways to make your life worse to make the world better”), other than for signalling/heuristic reasons, I don’t think being categorically vegan/vegetarian is all that important. I believe that reducing animal products in my diet is always a good thing. I also believe that not buying coffee at coffee shops and, instead, donating the money to an animal-welfare organization is always a good thing. But I don’t make the latter a categorical life philosophy. For that reason, I treat my diet just like every other facet of my life: I try to understand the consequences of my actions, identify the ethically ideal direction, and move in that direction wherever I reasonably can, recognizing that I am a deeply imperfect ethical actor.
(iii) Soylent is the solution to all!! It’s now vegan, good for you, cheap, etc. I’d consume it in place of most meals even if I had no regard for animal welfare.
Wonderful essay. Thanks, Jess. A few responses:
(i) It’s not clear to me that the vegan-vegetarian distinction makes sense, as I believe, for example, that consuming eggs or milk can be more harmful (in terms of animal suffering) than certain forms of meat consumption.
(ii) Related to (i) (and to Paul_Christiano’s point re “other ways to make your life worse to make the world better”), other than for signalling/heuristic reasons, I don’t think being categorically vegan/vegetarian is all that important. I believe that reducing animal products in my diet is always a good thing. I also believe that not buying coffee at coffee shops and, instead, donating the money to an animal-welfare organization is always a good thing. But I don’t make the latter a categorical life philosophy. For that reason, I treat my diet just like every other facet of my life: I try to understand the consequences of my actions, identify the ethically ideal direction, and move in that direction wherever I reasonably can, recognizing that I am a deeply imperfect ethical actor.
(iii) Soylent is the solution to all!! It’s now vegan, good for you, cheap, etc. I’d consume it in place of most meals even if I had no regard for animal welfare.
sparkle fingers