Before the Term: Ancient Pioneers of a Plant-Based Ethos
Long before the word existed, evidence of people consciously choosing to avoid animal products can be found in ancient history. These early practitioners were not 'vegans' in the modern sense, as they did not have a unified social movement or a defined term for their lifestyle, but their ethical stances laid the groundwork for today's movement. Their motivations often stemmed from deeply held religious, spiritual, and philosophical convictions.
The Greek Philosophical Tradition
Over 2,500 years ago, Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BCE) advocated for benevolence toward all species and embraced a diet free from animal flesh. His beliefs were rooted in the doctrine of metempsychosis, or the transmigration of souls, which held that a soul could be reincarnated into an animal. For Pythagoras, harming an animal was tantamount to harming a potential ancestor, and a plant-based diet was a path to spiritual and moral purity. He and his followers were known as 'Pythagoreans,' and their abstention from meat was a defining characteristic. Following him, later thinkers like Porphyry wrote extensively on the philosophy of animal abstinence, arguing for the ethical treatment of animals.
The Principle of Ahimsa in Ancient India
One of the most foundational influences on ancient vegetarianism and veganism comes from the Indian subcontinent, particularly within the Jain tradition. The central tenet of Jainism, ahimsa, means non-violence toward all living beings. Adherents to Jainism, including figures like Mahavira (c. 6th century BCE), developed incredibly strict dietary rules to minimize harm. This included not only abstaining from meat and eggs but also avoiding root vegetables, which involves killing the entire plant and harming small organisms in the soil. While Jains have traditionally consumed dairy, some modern practitioners, like those adhering to modern veganism, abstain completely. The Buddhist tradition, starting with figures like Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), also embraced forms of vegetarianism based on the principle of non-harm.
Medieval Ethical Abstention
Centuries later, the Arab poet and philosopher Al-Maʿarri (c. 973–c. 1057) publicly expressed his rejection of animal products. His poem, “I No Longer Steal From Nature,” detailed his arguments based on health, animal welfare, and the transmigration of souls, showing a clear ethical stance against animal exploitation. This demonstrates that the idea of abstaining from all animal products was a recurrent ethical consideration for some individuals, even in periods where the practice was not widespread.
The Dawn of Modern Veganism
For centuries, ethical vegetarians debated the use of eggs and dairy. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw the emergence of European figures, including Dr. William Lambe and poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, publicly objecting to eggs and dairy on ethical grounds. However, the modern movement and its official name came much later.
In November 1944, British conscientious objector Donald Watson, alongside five other non-dairy vegetarians including Elsie Shrigley, founded The Vegan Society. The group felt a new word was needed to describe their lifestyle, which avoided all animal exploitation, not just meat consumption. They eventually settled on 'vegan,' using the first three and last two letters of 'vegetarian' to signify the beginning and end of vegetarianism. The society's first magazine, The Vegan News, was launched to promote their ideas.
A Comparison of Ancient and Modern Veganism
| Feature | Ancient Plant-Based Practices | Modern Veganism |
|---|---|---|
| Terminology | No single term; often referred to by religious or philosophical schools, e.g., 'Pythagoreans' | Defined by the term 'vegan,' coined in 1944 |
| Core Philosophy | Primarily religious, spiritual, or ethical beliefs related to non-violence (ahimsa), reincarnation, and purification | Primarily ethical, environmental, and health-based, focusing on ending animal exploitation |
| Dietary Rules | Varied across groups; some abstained from meat, others from eggs, and some from roots (Jainism) | A consistent dietary definition: abstaining from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, and honey |
| Lifestyle Application | Varied, with some practices extending to non-food items; some Jains avoided leather | All-encompassing lifestyle avoiding animal products in food, clothing (leather, wool), entertainment, etc. |
| Community | Practiced within specific philosophical or religious communities | Global, secular movement with organized societies and a broad, diverse community |
The Expansion of the Vegan Ethos
The foundation of The Vegan Society marked a critical turning point, evolving the practice from an often-isolated philosophical or religious stance into a unified social movement. Early members and subsequent leaders refined the definition of veganism to be more comprehensive, addressing all forms of animal exploitation, not just dietary consumption.
The Broader Impact
The history of veganism is a testament to the persistent human drive for greater compassion and a more harmonious relationship with the natural world. These early figures, from ancient philosophers to modern-day founders, challenged societal norms and offered a new perspective on our relationship with other living beings. Their legacies continue to inform and inspire the global vegan movement today.
- Pythagorean influence: The ethical considerations put forth by Pythagoras endured for centuries and contributed to the concept of ethical eating in Western thought.
- Jainism's legacy: The ancient and deeply rooted principles of ahimsa in Jainism continue to be one of the most comprehensive examples of non-violent living, influencing not only diet but a total way of life.
- Modern organization: The work of Donald Watson and The Vegan Society created a formal structure for advocacy, allowing the movement to grow and communicate its message more effectively.
Today's veganism stands on the shoulders of these pioneers, connecting ancient wisdom with modern concerns about animal rights, environmental sustainability, and personal health. The journey from individual acts of conscientious abstention to a global social movement is a rich and compelling story of ethical evolution. For more on the history and modern practice of veganism, you can visit The Vegan Society online.
Conclusion: An Enduring Ethical Thread
The question of who were the first vegans does not have a single answer, but rather a long and complex history weaving through different cultures and time periods. From the compassionate stance of Pythagoras to the meticulous principles of Jainism and the modern activism of Donald Watson, an ethical thread connects them all. These pioneers demonstrated that the path of conscious, cruelty-free living is an ancient virtue, continually rediscovered and redefined for each new generation. The modern vegan movement is a powerful culmination of these historical efforts, dedicated to ending all forms of animal exploitation.
