But in order to have net positive lives, we need to do something more than follow consumer-choice based principles.
I agree. Veganism is (for most vegans, I believe) mostly about reducing the harm you inflict on the world. It’s clear you can’t ever get to 0. Even if your life is net positive, somewhere along the way you always harm somebody or some being. And while veganism itself certainly has this asymmetry you refer to, it seems a lot of vegans take steps beyond that in the more positive direction, such as
being effective altruists and in that way trying to do more good in the world
go into activism or animal rights advocacy
work at animal shelters or even just taking care of a stray animal
So I don’t think the risk of neglecting the positive side of things is all that high. Certainly makes sense to take it into consideration though, and I appreciate your post!
I agree. Veganism is (for most vegans, I believe) mostly about reducing the harm you inflict on the world. It’s clear you can’t ever get to 0. Even if your life is net positive, somewhere along the way you always harm somebody or some being. And while veganism itself certainly has this asymmetry you refer to, it seems a lot of vegans take steps beyond that in the more positive direction, such as
being effective altruists and in that way trying to do more good in the world
go into activism or animal rights advocacy
work at animal shelters or even just taking care of a stray animal
So I don’t think the risk of neglecting the positive side of things is all that high. Certainly makes sense to take it into consideration though, and I appreciate your post!