Which Greek philosopher was a vegetarian?

December 21, 2025 •

3 min read

The ancient Greeks were known for their meat consumption, often tied to religious sacrifices and banquets. However, a notable exception to this rule existed in the 6th century BCE with the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, who was a vegetarian based on his unique ethical and spiritual worldview.

Quick Summary

Pythagoras, renowned for his mathematical theories, was also the most prominent Greek philosopher to advocate for a meat-free diet. His vegetarianism, and that of his followers known as Pythagoreans, was rooted in the belief in the transmigration of souls and the importance of spiritual purity and non-violence toward all living beings.

Key Points

Pythagoras was a vegetarian: The famous Greek mathematician and philosopher was the most prominent ancient advocate for a meat-free diet, and his followers were known as 'Pythagoreans'.
Based on Reincarnation: Pythagoras's vegetarianism was rooted in his belief in metempsychosis, the idea that human souls could be reborn into animals, making the consumption of meat a moral transgression.
Promoted Spiritual Purity: He taught that a simple, plant-based diet promoted inner peace, mental clarity, and spiritual purity, while meat-eating encouraged violence.
Influenced Later Thinkers: The Pythagorean dietary tradition influenced later philosophers like Plutarch and Porphyry, who expanded upon the ethical arguments against eating meat.
Prohibited Fava Beans: Curiously, Pythagoras also forbade his followers from eating fava beans, a rule based on various spiritual and health-related theories.
Legacy in Modern Vegetarianism: The ethical dimension of conscious eating championed by Pythagoras has had a long-lasting impact, laying a philosophical foundation that continues to inform modern vegetarian and vegan movements.

Pythagoras: The Father of Western Vegetarianism

Pythagoras, born around 570 BCE, is widely recognized as the most famous ancient Greek philosopher to advocate for a vegetarian diet. Before the term "vegetarian" was coined, those who abstained from meat were often called "Pythagoreans". His dietary choices were deeply intertwined with his philosophical and religious beliefs.

The Transmigration of Souls

A central tenet of Pythagorean philosophy was metempsychosis, the belief that the soul is immortal and is reborn into different bodies after death, including those of animals. This led Pythagoras to view eating animals as a form of cannibalism, as the animal might house a departed human soul. A well-known anecdote recounts Pythagoras intervening to stop the beating of a puppy, claiming he recognized the voice of a friend within the animal's cries.

Philosophical Morality and Purity

Pythagorean vegetarianism also stemmed from ethical considerations of purity and non-violence. Pythagoras believed that consuming meat corrupted the soul and fostered aggression. He linked a simple, meat-free diet to spiritual and mental clarity and extended compassion to all living creatures. His ideas significantly contributed to the development of ethical considerations for animals in Western thought.

The Controversial Case of Fava Beans

Despite advocating for a meat-free diet, Pythagoras forbade his followers from eating or touching fava beans. The reasons behind this prohibition are subject to historical debate, with theories including spiritual beliefs that the beans contained souls or symbolized the underworld, recognition of the health risks associated with favism (a genetic disorder aggravated by fava beans), or the belief that the beans caused distracting flatulence.

The Pythagorean Diet in Practice

The Pythagorean diet was characterized by its simplicity and focus on plant-based foods. It primarily consisted of fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. While Pythagoras himself reportedly avoided most animal products, including eggs, some later interpretations allowed for dairy and eggs, leading to a lacto-ovo-vegetarian model. Historical accounts suggest Pythagoras ate a simple diet of bread, honey, and vegetables.

Vegetarianism Among Other Greek Philosophers

While Pythagoras is the most prominent, other Greek philosophers also considered or advocated for meat abstinence, influencing later thinkers like Plutarch and Porphyry. However, vegetarianism remained a minority practice in ancient Greek and Roman societies.

Prominent Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Views


Feature	Pythagoras and Followers	Plutarch and Later Thinkers	Aristotle and Others	Stoics and Cynics
Core Rationale	Ethical/Spiritual (Transmigration of souls, purity)	Moral Argument (Against violence and cruelty to animals)	Rationality (Humans superior to irrational animals)	Asceticism (Simple living and self-control)
Dietary Rules	Strict vegetarianism, avoidance of fava beans	Advocated for abstaining from meat, though details vary.	Consumed meat, reflecting broader societal norms.	Simple diet of bread, grains, and water, often for self-discipline.
View of Animals	Shared souls with humans; all creatures deserving of respect.	Capable of reasoning and experiencing pain, extending justice to them.	Irrational beings created for human use, no moral duty to them.	Less about animal welfare, more about human detachment from luxury.
Key Text	Teachings passed down through disciples and later biographers.	On the Impropriety of Killing Living Beings for Food.	Writings like Politics that outline the natural hierarchy.	Various fragments and anecdotes detailing simple living.

The Lasting Legacy of the Philosophical Vegetarian

Pythagoras's influence on the concept of philosophical vegetarianism was considerable and enduring. For centuries, the term "Pythagorean" was synonymous with vegetarianism. His ethical arguments resonated with later philosophers and thinkers through the ages. Pythagoras's view of diet as a moral choice, not solely for sustenance, introduced ideas about animal rights and conscious eating that continue to be relevant in contemporary discussions.

Conclusion

In answer to the question "which Greek philosopher was a vegetarian," Pythagoras of Samos stands out as the most significant figure. His adoption of a meat-free lifestyle was revolutionary in his time, driven by a complex philosophy encompassing the transmigration of souls, the pursuit of spiritual purity, and deep respect for life. While others like Plutarch and Porphyry later followed a similar path, Pythagoras is credited with establishing the first prominent tradition of philosophical vegetarianism in the Western world. His foundational principles continue to influence modern ethical and dietary debates.

Optional Link

For more information on the broader history of vegetarianism, explore the timeline provided by the International Vegetarian Union at International Vegetarian Union.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pythagoras became a vegetarian primarily due to his belief in the transmigration of souls, or metempsychosis. This involved the idea that a soul could be reborn into an animal, making the act of eating meat a form of cannibalism of a potentially reincarnated human soul.

The Pythagorean diet was mainly plant-based, focusing on fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. While strictly avoiding meat, Pythagoras reportedly also avoided eggs, though some later interpretations allowed for dairy and eggs. Followers ate simple meals like bread with honey and raw or boiled vegetables.

Yes, Pythagoras famously instructed his followers not to eat or touch fava beans. The reasons for this remain debated, with possibilities ranging from spiritual beliefs about the beans containing souls to recognizing potential health issues like favism.

No, vegetarianism was not common in ancient Greece. Meat consumption was a significant part of religious and cultural life. Pythagoras's vegetarianism was a radical departure from the norm and primarily followed by his philosophical community.

Pythagoras's legacy established the first notable tradition of philosophical vegetarianism in the Western world. His ideas influenced subsequent Greek thinkers, and the term "Pythagorean" was used for vegetarians until the 19th century. His work contributed to the ethical consideration of animals.

The Pythagoreans were followers of Pythagoras who formed a philosophical and religious community in ancient Italy. They adhered to a disciplined lifestyle, which included vegetarianism as a core principle.

Yes, later ancient philosophers like Plutarch and Porphyry also put forward arguments for vegetarianism, building upon ethical and compassionate considerations towards animals, thus continuing the lineage of philosophical vegetarianism initiated by Pythagoras.