Why are people vegan?

[pixelatedn00b]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and I have a question. Why are some people vegan? (no not vegeterian don't let this mislead you). If you're not sure what a vegan is http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vegan

Anyways, why are some people vegan? Is it the same state as vegeterians "feel sorry for the animals being in pain."

[Helm]

Because they don't believe in the enslavement of sentient creatures for human benefit or something along those lines.

[Tacitursa]

I'd love to see a vegan that does not use or have anything related to animals atall. Although no such vegans exist.

Vegans have no problem using items or products made out of wood, Yet wood comes from trees. And tree's provide homes for animals. When we cut down tree's animals lose there home and die.

Just one of many examples that make it practically impossible to be a vegan without being a hypocrit.

[Dunecat]

I'd love to see a vegan that does not use or have anything to do related with animals at all. Although no such vegans exist.

Vegans have no problem using items or products made out of wood,. Yet wood comes from trees. And tree's provide homes for animals. When we cut down tree's, animals lose thereir home and die.

Just one of many examples that makes it practically impossible to be a vegan without being a hypocrite.

That does not discredit veganism, it merely presents the solution of suicidal veganism given the reality of "practical" limitations.

Vegan arguments might be superior in their ethical arguments and yet you have stopped short in analysis because of direct ecological connections that do not consider technology. Go beyond your simplified portrayal of vegan lifestyles to contribute to this thread.

@Heretick: Good post. >.>

@Pixelated: You ask why people are vegan yet say you understand what veganism is, offering an explanation for others. Would it not be

PAINFULLY ING OBVIOUS

that vegans are vegans because arguments supporting a vegan lifestyle are intellectually and emotionally satisfying.

You should instead be asking, "What is veganism, what is a vegan lifestyle?" That is the important question and the question you actually want to have answered. In knowing how a vegan lives you will know their arguments, that is if you search beyond the immediate one line dictionary answer of "a person who abstains from animals". You will learn their arguments, and in turn, understand in part why a person might adhere to a vegan lifestyle and hold a "vegan" perspective.

TWC is not meant for this, you should have gone to google to save us all time. TWC is meant for discussion, it's not wikipedia. Unless you actually did want to start a discussion on the merits of vegan arguments, in which case you should have not been so misleading and indirect.

If you want people to debate, state it in the OP. If you want a wiki outline, don't post. Either this thread is spam or it has a misleading title and OP (or it was meant for our psychology subforum, if we have one), unless its course is changed immediately.

[Armfelt]

Just one of many examples that make it practically impossible to be a vegan without being a hypocrit.

I do not think that striving for an ideal is hypocrisy.

[Monarchist]

Because they don't believe in the enslavement of sentient creatures for human benefit or something along those lines.

! That is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. I believe people are vegan because of mental retardation (literally, 'slowing down'; ritardando). It's quite simple, in the end. The iron in meat allowed our brains to evolve and grow to the current size we enjoy. Why should anyone go against the proteins and such, just to feel better that they didn't put a hammer between those sparkling little eyes of a cow? I believe vegans are justified entirely by their emotions, and not in logic or anything reasonable.

Animals are about as humanly-sentient as my foot. Still, I thank God before I eat meat, because I know that they are sacred (being created by the sacred). If God had said that we can't eat any meat, I wouldn't eat any meat. If I was a vegan, it would be about discipline, not feeling good that I'm superior to everyone.

[IronBrig4]

If God didn't want us to eat animals, then why are they made of meat?

[MaximiIian]

Most vegan rationale is derived, whether they know it or not, from the ethics of Sartre and Camus. The principle is that if you're part of the solution, you're part of the problem; to a vegan, if one is eating or using products derived from animals beyond what is necessary, then one is furthering the abuse or exploitation of animals.

I humbly disagree, but they're welcome to their opinions.

[Arch-hereticK]

Why are hippies so dirty?

[Leeham991]

Vegans because people don't seem to get the difference between the different animal types.

Sapient: Humans, cetaceans (possibly bees... Seen the news lately?)
Sentient: Dogs, cats, pigs, ect
"Dumb": Cows, sheep, ect (this is sketchy as the main difference is intelligence, as logically these animals are also "sentient")
Drone: Fish, flies, lizards(not all), ect

It's actually allot more complicated than that, maybe best ignore my ramblings and just research it for yourself actually xD

Anyway... Vegans don't believe in animal exploitation because animals can feel pain, but they fail to see that farm animals are not self aware, so in fact don't care as long as you food them right and keep them healthy.

god though I generalizing too much. PM me I try to explain better once I sobered up much,

[Nevins]

Seems like half the Vegans that I know do it out of a sense of moral superiority, as they are no longer "Slaves" to what they perceive as a morally bankrupt system. They believe that this life choice will make them healthier, live longer, and have a less destructive impact on the environment. They are simply vegetarians to the extreme.

There are, of course, exceptions to my personal anecdotes about their stunning arrogance. I am merely relaying what I have seen.

[Manco]

Why are some people vegan?

Because they've never eaten spare-ribs.



Or how about for similar reasons as why people do or don't smoke, are vegetarian; wear or not wear fur, even pro- or anti-guns.
In short : because they want to.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Veganism is illogical, since it clearly goes against human nature. Humans are omnivores - this is a fact.

Other omnivore animals in the animal kingdom eat meat, so why shouldn't humans?

[godol shmok]

I assume some like vegan because they do not like cooked food. There are/have been societies that prepare food by soften it up in a pond.

[Modestus]

Because they cannot run very fast.

I once met a Cheetah that was a vegan but we all knew he was a lazy bastard.

[godol shmok]

It must have been an imagined cheetah, like in The Raw and the Cooked.

[Hax]

If God didn't want us to eat animals, then why are they made of meat?

I do not adhere to your improvable God. Stop using the religious argument, really.

To stress something, I do not eat meat or fish. I do drink milk, eat eggs and other dairy products. Why? Because this does not involve the killing of animals. There is always what we've known as the "cheese problem"; seeing how chees has an ingredient which involves the inside of a goat's stomach.

Veganism is idiotic, since it clearly goes against human nature. Humans are omnivores - this is a fact.

Look at your hands? Are they the hands of a killer? WHen did you last run into a sheep to devour it with your teeth?


I have seen lots of people use the argument of "we've been eating meat for centuries". Yes, this was a choice, however. Go to the far east and you will see a great difference in the consumption of meat. They pretty much invented the use of soy beans in culinary use over there.


My problem with the eating of meat is not the eating of meat necessarily. My problem is the way how animals are killed; direspectfully. I severely disagree with how most people just see living beings as nothing more than a tool for human gratification. This is not how we should deal with our planet, people.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Look at your hands? Are they the hands of a killer? WHen did you last run into a sheep to devour it with your teeth?

Omnivores use whatever they have, it depends on the animal. A bear may use its teeth and claws, a bird may use its beak and talons. And a human's mind and hands allow him to sharpen a stick and kill the animal.

I have seen lots of people use the argument of "we've been eating meat for centuries". Yes, this was a choice, however. Go to the far east and you will see a great difference in the consumption of meat. They pretty much invented the use of soy beans in culinary use over there.

Primitive humans survived by hunting and gathering. Being an omnivore creature was not a "choice".

Soy is an acceptable substitute for meat in human diet, but it is still a substitute. Now the use invention of the use of soy beans in culinary was made out necessity. I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to bet that hunting preceeds the use of soy beans instead of meat.

My problem with the eating of meat is not the eating of meat necessarily. My problem is the way how animals are killed; direspectfully. I severely disagree with how most people just see living beings as nothing more than a tool for human gratification. This is not how we should deal with our planet, people.

I absolutely agree that we have to treat animals with respect. However, I don't feel that modern killing methods are disrespectful. Any quick method is fine by me. I have participated in slaughtering an animal for food before, and have lost no sleep. My conscience was clear, because I knew I did not cause unnecessary distress to the animal, and that I put it to good use.

This particular animal's purpose was to feed me. It's purpose in the wild would have been to feed another creature. I don't see the difference.

As to "gratification", this is not a problem of slaughtering an animal for food, but rather of a person's attitude. Just because some people don't respect their food, it doesn't mean that all killing of animals is wrong in principle.

This is my view, anyway. I think it's quite logical.


EDIT: I do apologise for the word 'idiotic'. That was immature. I'll edit the post.

[pericles_plato]

Because they're stupid, :p
Every time someone talks about why every one should be a vegetarian and what happens to the animals it makes me crave steak, bacon, everything from an animal. Some actually had pictures of killing cows. Ready to eat some hamburgers.

[Phier]

Because they hate flavor.