A common feature of dogma is a belief that people are inherently bad and must redeem themselves by adopting the … More
Tag: moral
Intention Plus Action: A Working Definition of Veganism
I’ve written at some length about how we define what it means to be vegan. In a world where we … More
Wielding the Moral Force
Last week, I wrote about what I call the “moral force” of veganism. People really want to think of themselves … More
The Invisible Moral Force
No one is forcing anyone to go vegan, not on an individual level and not on a policy level. So why are we often accused of forcing people to go vegan? The answer is the reason why, I believe, we may come to see a vegan world. And not by force.
Can We Separate Ethics from Emotion?
I used to worship Sam Harris. I still listen to him from time to time and find that he sometimes … More
The Frustrating Optimism of Inertia
People are funny. We get comfortable in our circumstances and way of life. We settle in to the environment we’re … More
How to Recognize a Bullshitter, pt. 2
In a previous post, I explained how arguments against veganism often pit the speaker’s ideal animal agriculture system against veganism, … More
How to Recognize a Bullshitter, pt. 1
I like to think I have a pretty good bullshit detector, but sometimes I notice something new. This causes me … More
Embrace the Cognitive Dissonance
A friend once took issue with my “Love animals, don’t eat them” shirt, stating without a hint of self-awareness that … More
Is Sentientism the New Veganism?
I’ve written several times about the shortcomings of strict definitions of veganism. In particular, my concerns have focused on the … More