I’m not sure I’d say the vegan community is ultimately about reducing suffering, although that’s the motivation for many. Many are primarily concerned with animal exploitation and killing, so more focused on animal rights, and many even oppose animal welfare reforms. Some are primarily concerned with the environment or health, but I think the animal-focused ones are the most active.
Maybe the vegan community would find EA a bit icky just because it feels like EA consists of rich people sacrificing very little of their personal lifestyle but making the “right” donations to absolve themselves.
It’s worth pointing out that 23% of respondents to Rethink Priorities’ 2019 EA community survey identified as vegan and another 23% as vegetarian. I think it’s not the lack of self-sacrifice they would be most likely to take issue with, but our priorities (welfare reform, especially), cost-effectiveness, utilitarianism, etc., although I think some of the charities we support are actually pretty popular among vegans, like Mercy for Animals.
Also thanks for the reminder on the distinction between animal welfare and rights. It’s a useful way to think about difference between group philosophies
Absolutely, thanks for the great points. I think you are correct that the issue would be more the utilitarianism than sacrifice. I was not aware of that survey. I’d be interested in how many vegans were involved in EA
I’m not sure I’d say the vegan community is ultimately about reducing suffering, although that’s the motivation for many. Many are primarily concerned with animal exploitation and killing, so more focused on animal rights, and many even oppose animal welfare reforms. Some are primarily concerned with the environment or health, but I think the animal-focused ones are the most active.
It’s worth pointing out that 23% of respondents to Rethink Priorities’ 2019 EA community survey identified as vegan and another 23% as vegetarian. I think it’s not the lack of self-sacrifice they would be most likely to take issue with, but our priorities (welfare reform, especially), cost-effectiveness, utilitarianism, etc., although I think some of the charities we support are actually pretty popular among vegans, like Mercy for Animals.
Also thanks for the reminder on the distinction between animal welfare and rights. It’s a useful way to think about difference between group philosophies
Absolutely, thanks for the great points. I think you are correct that the issue would be more the utilitarianism than sacrifice. I was not aware of that survey. I’d be interested in how many vegans were involved in EA