Deep Vegetarianism [Paperback]

 

 

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This is a terrific book, which examines the philosopohical arguments for and against vegetarianism.

Most vegans and vegetarians find themselves in conversations with omnivores about the merits of vegetarianism, whether they go looking for this discourse or not.

I recommend that vegetarians check this book out, especially if you have friends or family members who think that vegetarianism is a seriously crazy way to live. This book provides a thoughtful analysis of the whole range of arguments made -- from the ancient human diet concept through feminism, replaceable animals, and on and on. Never again will you find yourself standing there speechless as an acquaintance at a party or a cousin at Sunday dinner comes up with an argument you haven't heard before.

This book is well-written, informative, and thought-provoking.

How would society change if instead of a meat-centered dependency, the world switched to universal vegetarianism? In Deep Vegetarianism, Michael Allen Fox explores the positive benefits if humankind were to become an herbivorous species. Moving to a vegetarian society would help diminish world hunger with better management and use of agricultural land, and would also bring awareness to the unjustifiable way in which the majority of food animals are treated, mainly in factory farm practices. He addresses many arguments for vegetarianism, brings to light opinions against [vegetarianism], as well as relates the vegetarian movement with other political movements and struggles throughout history.
From a vegetarian standpoint this book helps to solidify some aspects that may have previously been murky in making the decision to give up meat. It also introduces many issues that one might not have previously considered before becoming a vegetarian. Deep Vegetarianism may encourage a vegetarian to take their diet a step further to becoming a stricter vegetarian, perhaps by moving to the vegan-type diet (no meat, dairy products, or eggs). Solid arguments for justifying vegetarianism that he explores in depth include: health, animal suffering and death, impartiality or disinterested moral concern, environmental concerns, manipulation of nature, world hunger, interspecies kinship and compassion and universal nonviolence.
When identifying arguments commonly used against vegetarianism Fox includes a list from R.G. Frey's book, Rights, Killing, and Suffering: Moral Vegetarianism and Applied Ethics, that lists significant effects such a shift would have on the world. This list includes: "...collapse of the animal food, leather, and pet food industries; social disruption; and the loss of haute cuisine." He [Fox] takes all of these issues into consideration and comes to the conclusion that, "People would still have to eat, and the opportunities for food production, distribution, processing, packaging, shipping, and sales, as well as commodity trading and new secondary industries, would certainly not evaporate." (p.144)
If one reading this book is a meat-eater he [Fox] strongly encourages the change in dietary habits through becoming a vegetarian or into at least putting more thought into where the food being consumed comes from. He does not directly say that if you eat meat you are a bad person, but rather through informative facts and positive reinforcement about the vegetarian lifestyle, he tries to discourage meat eating as the center of the American as well as world diet. His ultimate idea is for the entire world to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, but is aware that this could not happen overnight. One issue opposing vegetarianism is, "What would happen to the many millions of animals that had been waiting to be killed and eaten" after universal vegetarianism was accepted by society? He addresses this issue by reiterating the fact that adoption of this idea [universal vegetarianism] would be a gradual process. "...meat-eating would gradually decline as vegetarianism gained adherents, with the net effect that as demand for meat declined, so too would the supply." (p. 146) Fox also explores that there are some cultures in the world that cannot survive without the use of animals. He explains that the Inuit of northern Canada, and Russia's Arctic nomads, the Nenets, are two examples of these cultures. He [Fox] quotes a leader of the Nenets on his beliefs and passion towards the main staple of life in their culture, the reindeer. " 'for us in the tundra, the reindeer are life itself. There is nothing we can do without reindeer. It's our food, our clothing, our transportation and every other necessity. You can't survive without reindeer. A person without reindeer is a nobody' " (p. 160) His response to the unavoidable dependence of animal use in indigenous cultures as these is, "Cases such as this, where the very survival of a culture is at stake, require that an exception be made. This may be justified by the principle that while humans may have no greater right to live than members of any other species, they also have no lesser right to live."(p.160)
Throughout Deep Vegetarianism, Fox strongly reiterates the positive effects that a universal change to vegetarianism would have on the entire world. His voice is that of a strong, passionate, and convincing man who will continue to urge people to change their dependence on animals and encourage them towards a vegetarianism lifestyle. He not only concludes that it [universal vegetarianism] would bring humankind closer to the environment, but that it also would significantly cut down on the rapid destruction of the natural world, which increases as the dependence of meat in human society increases. The end of a meat-centered society would not be the end of flourishing human existence as many anti-vegetarians conclude. "...vegetarianism, rather than being confining, is liberating as it frees us from the exploitation of animals, the domination of nature, and the oppression of one another, and frees us to discover ourselves in more positive, life-affirming ways." (p.183) Sometimes his writing style has a 'preachy' feel because of his adamant opinion that the only right diet for a flourishing world future is one based on vegetarianism ideals, and this may cause some readers to feel very defensive.
For anyone looking to help solidify unclear positions of their vegetarianism, or to explore new ideas to strengthen their stance of a non-meat based diet, I adamantly recommend this book. For people who have not looked into the positive effects of a vegetarian lifestyle, both individually and universal, I recommend this book to be read with an open mind and eager knowledge, keeping in mind that after its completion you may very well be on your way to vegetarianism. "In order to make the transition to sustainable societies and sensible lifestyles, we need not embrace extreme altruism and self-denial, just good sense and a sense of proportion." (p.177)

Michael Allen Fox has written a calm, reasoned assessment of the arguments for and against vegetarianism. A great merit of the book is that it explores philosophical arguments in a way that makes them accessible to the general public. Fox doesn't preach to his readers, nor does he expect us all to become saints overnight. Rather, he asks us to consider the far-reaching effects of our dietary choices, and to choose wisely. This is a first-rate book!

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2.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointingly shrill.
I was somewhat disappointed in this book. While it supports those who are considering becoming vegetarians for humane reasons with its many descriptions of the cruelty inflctied... Read more

Published on May 8 2000 by Lori Ziemba

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book
If you are interested in ethical reasons for becoming or remaining a vegetarian, this is a very good book. Read more

Published on May 2 2000 by L. Triche

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