The philosophical discussion concerning humanity's relationship with animals is ancient, but the practice of completely abstaining from all animal products is a modern concept. Understanding if any philosophers were vegan requires looking back at those who adopted vegetarian diets for philosophical reasons and tracing the development of animal ethics up to the modern era.
Ancient Philosophical Roots: From Reincarnation to Rationality
The idea of a plant-based diet for ethical reasons is far from new. For centuries before the term 'vegan' existed, certain philosophers and their followers advocated for abstaining from meat, often based on complex metaphysical beliefs.
The Pythagorean Abstinence
One of the most famous early examples is the mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, who lived in the 6th century BCE. His dietary practices were so influential that until the 19th century, a vegetarian was often called a 'Pythagorean'. Pythagoras and his followers avoided meat based on a belief in the transmigration of souls, or metempsychosis. He believed that the soul could be reincarnated into animals, and therefore, eating meat risked consuming a relative or friend. His ban on beans was also rooted in a similar spiritual belief. This practice, though it predates the modern definition, represents one of the first documented philosophical objections to killing animals for food.
Porphyry and On Abstinence from Eating Animals
Centuries later, in the 3rd century CE, the Neoplatonist philosopher Porphyry wrote extensively on the subject in his treatise On Abstinence from Eating Animals. Porphyry argues that animals are rational beings and that it is unjust to harm creatures that have not harmed humans. He details various arguments against eating meat and animal sacrifice, drawing on the works of his predecessors like Theophrastus. Porphyry’s writings even suggest arguments that closely resemble modern ethical veganism, stating that one should not use animal products like wool or milk, as they were not produced for human pleasure. While he made concessions for practical reasons, his work is a cornerstone of ancient ethical thought on animal welfare.
Other Greek Thinkers
Other figures in ancient Greece also touched upon animal ethics, though not always as strictly as Pythagoras or Porphyry. Plato, in The Republic, imagines a healthy, simple city where people eat only plant-based foods, and a meat-eating society is considered more decadent and prone to illness. Though Plato's view may have been more about moderation than strict animal rights, it shows that the ethical dimension of diet was a subject of consideration.
Modern Philosophy and the Rise of Ethical Veganism
The philosophical groundwork for modern veganism was laid by thinkers who challenged established views and expanded the scope of ethical consideration.
Jeremy Bentham and the Capacity to Suffer
Jeremy Bentham, the founder of modern utilitarianism in the late 18th century, provided a pivotal argument that would profoundly influence the animal rights movement. In his 1789 work, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, he famously wrote: "The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?". This capacity for suffering, rather than intellect, was, for Bentham, the key determinant for moral consideration. While Bentham was not a vegan himself and accepted animal use for human benefit as long as it wasn't wanton cruelty, his framing became a foundation for future arguments.
Peter Singer and Speciesism
One of the most significant modern philosophers in this discussion is Peter Singer. His 1975 book, Animal Liberation, is a foundational text of the animal rights movement. Singer argues from a utilitarian perspective that the interests of all sentient beings, including animals, should be given equal consideration. He coined the term 'speciesism' to describe the prejudice or bias toward the interests of one's own species over another. Singer argues that factory farming is a system of immense, unjustified suffering and that, where practicable, a vegan diet is the most ethical choice.
Tom Regan and Inherent Value
Another major figure is Tom Regan, who, unlike Singer, argued from a deontological or rights-based perspective. In his work The Case for Animal Rights, Regan asserted that animals are not merely means to a human end but have inherent value as 'subjects-of-a-life'. This status, according to Regan, grants them certain moral rights, including the right not to be harmed. This view provides a powerful rights-based argument for veganism, independent of the suffering animals may endure.
List of Influential Figures on Animal Ethics
Ancient and Pre-Modern Thinkers:
- Pythagoras (c. 570–c. 495 BCE): Believed in transmigration of souls, leading to a meat-free, or "Pythagorean," diet.
- Porphyry (c. 234–c. 305 CE): Wrote a comprehensive defense of ethical vegetarianism based on animal rationality.
- Al-Maʿarri (973–1057 CE): An Arab poet who was a strict vegan, advocating against harming animals.
- Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519 CE): The Renaissance polymath was believed to have been a vegetarian, expressing concern for animal welfare.
- Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910): The Russian novelist and philosopher became a vegetarian later in life as part of his pacifist and anarchist beliefs.
Modern and Contemporary Philosophers:
- Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832): Although not vegan, his utilitarianism laid the foundation for modern animal ethics with his focus on the capacity to suffer.
- Peter Singer (b. 1946): Authored Animal Liberation and is a prominent proponent of ethical veganism based on utilitarian principles.
- Tom Regan (1938–2017): A rights-based philosopher who argued animals have inherent value as 'subjects-of-a-life'.
- Gary Francione (b. 1954): An abolitionist theorist who argues that all sentient beings should have the right not to be treated as property.
A Comparison of Philosophical Stances on Animal Consumption
| Philosopher | Era | Core Stance on Animal Consumption | Primary Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pythagoras | Ancient Greek | Abstention from all meat and certain plants (like beans). | Belief in metempsychosis (reincarnation of souls into animals). |
| Plato | Ancient Greek | Advocated for a simple, plant-based diet in the 'healthy city'. | Concern for moderation and avoidance of luxury; not primarily animal welfare. |
| Porphyry | Late Antiquity | Abstention from meat and animal products for philosophers. | Animals possess rationality; causing them harm is unjust. |
| Jeremy Bentham | 18th Century | Allowed animal use if it provided human benefit and wasn't wanton cruelty. | Animals can suffer, so their interests must be considered in the 'felicific calculus'. |
| Peter Singer | Modern | Rejection of speciesism and support for ethical veganism. | Utilitarianism, arguing to minimize suffering for all sentient beings. |
| Tom Regan | Modern | Abolition of animal use based on moral rights. | Animals as 'subjects-of-a-life' possess inherent value and rights. |
Conclusion: The Evolving Philosophical Dialogue
The question, "Were any philosophers vegan?" reveals a complex history where ancient dietary practices and ethical reflections paved the way for modern animal ethics. While historical figures like Pythagoras and Porphyry abstained from meat for compelling philosophical reasons, their diets often didn't align precisely with the modern definition of veganism, which encompasses the avoidance of all animal products and exploitation. However, their work laid the ethical groundwork. It was the modern philosophers, particularly utilitarians like Bentham and Singer and rights theorists like Regan, who developed the comprehensive frameworks now used to justify and promote ethical veganism. The journey from Pythagoras to Peter Singer shows a profound evolution in philosophical thought, expanding our moral horizons to include the interests of all living beings.
