The 'Possible and Practicable' Paradox
For many, veganism begins as a clear-cut choice: avoid meat, dairy, and eggs. But the deeper one delves into the lifestyle, the more grey areas emerge. The Vegan Society's official definition acknowledges this complexity with its "possible and practicable" clause. This phrase is crucial because it recognizes that in a non-vegan world, complete purity is an unattainable ideal. From the clothes we wear to the medicines we take, animal products and by-products can be ubiquitous, often unknowingly supporting animal exploitation. Rather than seeking an impossible perfection, most ethical vegans focus on making the most compassionate choices available within their given circumstances, constantly learning and adapting as new information and alternatives emerge.
Hidden Animal Products in Plain Sight
One of the biggest hurdles to absolute veganism is the prevalence of non-obvious animal ingredients in everyday goods. Many people are surprised to discover where animal by-products are used. For example, some sugars are whitened using 'bone char,' a charcoal made from animal bones. Certain wines and beers use 'isinglass,' a gelatin from fish bladders, during the fining process. Medications and vitamins often use gelatin capsules, and some plastics and electronics incorporate animal fats as 'slip agents'.
Common Hidden Animal Products
- Food Additives: Many common food additives, flavourings, and thickeners can be derived from animals. Examples include gelatin (E441) in desserts and capsules, L-cysteine (E920) in bread dough, and casein in some 'non-dairy' products.
- Household Items: Animal-derived ingredients like tallow (animal fat) are used in fabric softeners, and casein-based glues can be found in a variety of materials.
- Personal Care Products: Items like toothpaste, shampoos, and razors can contain glycerin (derived from animal fat), lanolin (from sheep's wool), or carmine (a red dye from crushed insects).
- Agriculture: Even plant crops rely on farming practices that inevitably harm insects and other wildlife, and some fertilizers still use animal by-products like bone meal.
Environmental Trade-offs
While vegan diets are widely recognized for their lower environmental impact compared to omnivorous diets, the issue is not without its nuances. The carbon footprint of a diet is not solely determined by its animal-product content but also by factors like transportation, processing, and farming methods. For instance, a locally sourced, responsibly managed piece of meat might have a lower carbon footprint than a highly processed vegan alternative air-freighted from the other side of the world. The sourcing of specific plant-based ingredients also has implications. The production of some popular vegan foods, like avocados and almonds, can be resource-intensive, particularly in water usage. The goal should be to choose the most sustainable and ethical options, regardless of whether they are animal or plant-based. The effort to achieve a truly '100% sustainable' diet is a separate, complex challenge in itself.
Navigating Social and Psychological Hurdles
Beyond the ingredients and environmental factors, being vegan also involves navigating a non-vegan world. Social situations, such as dining out or attending family gatherings, can be challenging and often require advance planning. New vegans may face intense scrutiny and criticism from friends and family, a phenomenon explained by 'cognitive dissonance,' where non-vegans feel discomfort when their beliefs are challenged by another's lifestyle choice. This social pressure can be one of the hardest aspects of the transition. The psychological fixation on perfect purity can also lead to orthorexia, an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating, a risk factor more prevalent among vegetarians and vegans. Embracing the 'possible and practicable' clause can alleviate this pressure and foster a healthier, more sustainable approach to veganism.
Perfect Veganism vs. Practical Veganism: A Comparison
| Aspect | Practical Veganism | Striving for Absolute Perfection |
|---|---|---|
| Food Choices | Focuses on whole plant foods and readily available alternatives, minimizing harm where possible. | Scrutinizes every food additive and farming method, often limiting choices severely. |
| Clothing | Avoids obvious animal products like leather, wool, and fur. | Extends to less common materials like silk, insect-based dyes, and glues used in shoe manufacturing. |
| Household Goods | Uses certified cruelty-free and vegan products. | Researches individual ingredients like glycerine or stearic acid in cleaning products to ensure plant-based origin. |
| Travel | Plans ahead for restaurants and packs snacks; accepts limitations in food options. | Can be severely restricted by food availability and may carry all food to avoid uncertainty. |
| Medication | Takes necessary medications, as the philosophical definition acknowledges that using animal-tested medicines is sometimes necessary. | May avoid certain medicines or supplements if they are not certified vegan, even if this impacts health. |
Conclusion: The Pursuit of Progress, Not Perfection
So, can you ever be 100% vegan? The answer, in the modern world, is no. The very fabric of society, from farming practices to medical advances, involves animal products in ways that are impossible to fully escape. The key, however, lies not in the unattainable pursuit of perfection, but in the actionable commitment to minimizing harm. Acknowledging the ethical grey areas and practical limitations is not a failure but an honest assessment of the world we live in. By focusing on the 'possible and practicable,' vegans make a profound impact. Every single person choosing plant-based options sends a clear market signal, reduces suffering, and lowers their environmental footprint in significant, measurable ways. The movement towards a more compassionate world is built on collective progress, not individual purity. The question, therefore, should not be about achieving 100% perfection, but about how far we can each extend our compassion, one conscious choice at a time.
Embracing Imperfection
Ultimately, a healthy and realistic vegan lifestyle is one that acknowledges imperfection. It's not about being a 'perfect vegan' but about being a better vegan than you were yesterday. This means making informed choices, being a vocal advocate where appropriate, and most importantly, not allowing the perfect to become the enemy of the good. The significant progress made by the vegan movement is a testament to the power of many people making imperfect, yet powerful, changes. Animal Ethics on Veganism provides further reading on the philosophical foundations and practical applications of veganism in an imperfect world.
