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Critical Perspectives on Animals: Theory, Culture, Science, and Law
Why Veganism Matters: The Moral Value of Animals
Most people care about animals, but only a tiny fraction are vegan. The rest often think of veganism as an extreme position. They certainly do not believe that they have a moral obligation to become vegan.
Gary L. Francione--the leading and most provocative scholar of animal rights theory and law--demonstrates that veganism is a moral imperative and a matter of justice. He shows that there is a contradiction in thinking that animals matter morally if one is also not vegan, and he explains why this belief should logically lead all who hold it to veganism. Francione dismantles the conventional wisdom that it is acceptable to use and kill animals as long as we do so "humanely." He argues that if animals matter morally, they must have the right not to be used as property. That means that we cannot eat them, wear them, use them, or otherwise treat them as resources or commodities.
Why Veganism Matters presents the case for the personhood of nonhuman animals and for veganism in a clear and accessible way that does not require any philosophical or legal background. This book offers a persuasive and powerful argument for all readers who care about animals but are not sure whether they have a moral obligation to be vegan.
Gary L. Francione--the leading and most provocative scholar of animal rights theory and law--demonstrates that veganism is a moral imperative and a matter of justice. He shows that there is a contradiction in thinking that animals matter morally if one is also not vegan, and he explains why this belief should logically lead all who hold it to veganism. Francione dismantles the conventional wisdom that it is acceptable to use and kill animals as long as we do so "humanely." He argues that if animals matter morally, they must have the right not to be used as property. That means that we cannot eat them, wear them, use them, or otherwise treat them as resources or commodities.
Why Veganism Matters presents the case for the personhood of nonhuman animals and for veganism in a clear and accessible way that does not require any philosophical or legal background. This book offers a persuasive and powerful argument for all readers who care about animals but are not sure whether they have a moral obligation to be vegan.
- GenresNonfictionVegan
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2021
8 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Gary L. Francione
13 books215 followersA prominent and respected philosopher of animal rights law and ethical theory, Gary L. Francione is known for his criticism of animal welfare laws and regulations, his abolitionist theory of animal rights, and his promotion of veganism and nonviolence as the baseline principles of the abolitionist movement. Unlike Peter Singer, Francione maintains that we cannot morally justify using animals under any circumstances, and unlike Tom Regan, Francione's theory applies to all sentient beings, not only to those who have more sophisticated cognitive abilities.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 24, 2020
In this short book regarding why veganism is the right, and only, way to go, Francione tells the reader about not only veganism, but about moral values, the choices we make, how most people see humans superior to other sentient beings, and his strong arguments behind veganism. The book is meant for people who are interested in the subject, have healthy moral values, but might not yet be a vegan. Therefore I am not part of the target group, since I’ve been a vegan for a long time already.
I am familiar with Francione’s arguments from before, having read his books and being part of the animal rights law community myself. Therefore I’m always interested in reading books like this. As always, Francione has strong Vicente based arguments in his reasoning. His abolitionist view is seen as radical to many people, which in fact it is not. Of course many think it is, because to admit he’s right these people would have to change their way of life, and that’s something most people don’t want to or will not do. If your own health is not an important enough reason, why would morals be?
The first chapters are quite philosophical and goes back to the times of how animal rights, sentient, and the days of the beginning of the “movement”. It is quite theoretical, but the further you read the more practical, and modern it gets. It might be a heavy read for people who are not used to academic ways of how articles are written, but it’s definitely still worth a try if you are interested in these issues. The book repeats certain things too many times, especially in the beginning. Overall a good book if you are pondering about these things, but not sure how to argue against the exploitation of non-human animals.
I am familiar with Francione’s arguments from before, having read his books and being part of the animal rights law community myself. Therefore I’m always interested in reading books like this. As always, Francione has strong Vicente based arguments in his reasoning. His abolitionist view is seen as radical to many people, which in fact it is not. Of course many think it is, because to admit he’s right these people would have to change their way of life, and that’s something most people don’t want to or will not do. If your own health is not an important enough reason, why would morals be?
The first chapters are quite philosophical and goes back to the times of how animal rights, sentient, and the days of the beginning of the “movement”. It is quite theoretical, but the further you read the more practical, and modern it gets. It might be a heavy read for people who are not used to academic ways of how articles are written, but it’s definitely still worth a try if you are interested in these issues. The book repeats certain things too many times, especially in the beginning. Overall a good book if you are pondering about these things, but not sure how to argue against the exploitation of non-human animals.
April 18, 2021
“Veganism is a moral imperative.”
That is probably the most important phrase you would ever hear or read. Author of this life-changing and quite literally vitally important philosophical concept is Prof. Gary L. Francione.
The idea about veganism as THE moral baseline should have been at the forefront of learning since the dawn of education, but one could argue humanity was not ready for this realignment of morals with behavior. As an incorrigible optimist, Prof. Francione firmly believes that the vast majority of today’s people are fully capable and ready to understand “why veganism matters”.
And the Professor dedicated the book to them — those who are still non-vegan, yet understand that animals matter morally.
The readers get exactly what Prof. Francione is known for — a rational and morally consistent position in favor of justice. And they will see the idea about veganism as moral imperative for what it is — a moral principle that is easy to understand and even easier to live by.
That is probably the most important phrase you would ever hear or read. Author of this life-changing and quite literally vitally important philosophical concept is Prof. Gary L. Francione.
The idea about veganism as THE moral baseline should have been at the forefront of learning since the dawn of education, but one could argue humanity was not ready for this realignment of morals with behavior. As an incorrigible optimist, Prof. Francione firmly believes that the vast majority of today’s people are fully capable and ready to understand “why veganism matters”.
And the Professor dedicated the book to them — those who are still non-vegan, yet understand that animals matter morally.
The readers get exactly what Prof. Francione is known for — a rational and morally consistent position in favor of justice. And they will see the idea about veganism as moral imperative for what it is — a moral principle that is easy to understand and even easier to live by.
March 14, 2022
Francione’s work is marked by his emotive style of writing. He writes with such conviction and his passion is always evident. While this is great in the sense that it makes for a compelling read, there is always a real sense of stubbornness in his writing which ultimately really weakens any point that he is trying to put forward. Typically his work is littered with grand, all-encompassing claims which are given next to no context or explored in any great detail. This book is no different. While I agree with most of the arguments and ideas that he presents (on a surface level at least), the way in which he writes honestly makes me question it.
September 28, 2020
I had great expectations for this book because since I became vegan, I tried to get as much information as possible about the pros and cons and overall influence of veganism on our planet. However, what I do not tolerate are biased views on the verge of extremism. Nor do I appreciate when someone is shoving their opinion down my throat. Honestly, I was so disappointed that I couldn’t make myself finish this book. With all due respect to the author, I believe we all need to be more patient and tolerable to people who do not share our views of the world; if we want to educate people around us, we need to be more understanding and listen to what they have to say. There are always two sides of every question.
November 15, 2021
Some good points, some questionable points. Probably a good book if you're into formal approaches to animal rights, also probably not the most convincing book for a nonvegan.
I agree with many of the author's ideas about veganism and how he often criticizes Singer (and others with similar positions). I disagree with some points about how to communicate with nonvegans (I think we can be more pragmatic), interference with wild animals (I don't think it's necessarily bad, and it can potentially be extremely positive) and domestication / companion animals.
I'd give the book three stars but I'm going for four because I just read a review by someone who claimed "a vegan diet is difficult to be balanced and healthy" and I had to do something to cancel it out. The book may have flaws but that is not one of them.
I agree with many of the author's ideas about veganism and how he often criticizes Singer (and others with similar positions). I disagree with some points about how to communicate with nonvegans (I think we can be more pragmatic), interference with wild animals (I don't think it's necessarily bad, and it can potentially be extremely positive) and domestication / companion animals.
I'd give the book three stars but I'm going for four because I just read a review by someone who claimed "a vegan diet is difficult to be balanced and healthy" and I had to do something to cancel it out. The book may have flaws but that is not one of them.
October 28, 2020
3/5 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book has great points and messages, but the execution is too long and dense to be able to comprehend easily. A lot of points are being repeated over and over again and is too tiring to read sometimes. I hope this book was written in a more concise way so that readers can be able to digest the information and message the author wants to share with the readers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book has great points and messages, but the execution is too long and dense to be able to comprehend easily. A lot of points are being repeated over and over again and is too tiring to read sometimes. I hope this book was written in a more concise way so that readers can be able to digest the information and message the author wants to share with the readers.
October 3, 2020
This book matters. A lot. I wish it could be compulsory reading in schools. The author breaks through the mockery which has been directed towards vegans over decades and challenges the reader to face the impacts of their choices. Some people will find this confronting. Others will take it for what it is - an insightful, well written, deeply analytical and quietly logical presentation of facts.
October 18, 2020
To be published on my blog at release: Nonstop Reader.
Why Veganism Matters is an expository analysis of the case for veganism written and presented by Gary L. Francione. Due out 12th Jan 2021 from Columbia University Press, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The author is an activist with a background in jurisprudence and it shows. He builds his arguments brick by brick as a lawyer would (if you admit X then you must admit Y as a logical consequence and here's why....). That he's passionately committed to animals and animal welfare is clear from the first sentence of the text. One of the first logical arguments in the book, interestingly enough, is the concept of personhood not necessarily being synonymous with being biologically human. He posits that animals can be people and thus have inherent moral value. Since they're valid and have moral value as people, we have a moral obligation to not harm or exploit them and as a logical result, a moral obligation to be vegan.
I have been, along with my family, trying to eat a more plant based diet for philosophical and health benefit reasons, to help (even in a tiny way) the environment and also because mass production farming methods are shockingly inhumane. This book didn't sway me much one way or the other, but it did make me think quite a lot.
The author has a confrontational, courtroom style of expository writing. Some readers will certainly feel attacked and uncomfortable. Other readers will dismiss the ideas and writing out of hand. Some few (I suspect) will be made to really think and confront their biases and change their thoughts and feelings, and it is for these (relative) few I believe this book could be an important catalyst for change, and for these few, therefore, this book is really written.
Do I think it's going to become Heidegger, Plato, Kant, or even Rachel Carson or John Muir to future generations? No. However, the author definitely has something to say, and it's a worthwhile book on which to ruminate.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Why Veganism Matters is an expository analysis of the case for veganism written and presented by Gary L. Francione. Due out 12th Jan 2021 from Columbia University Press, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
The author is an activist with a background in jurisprudence and it shows. He builds his arguments brick by brick as a lawyer would (if you admit X then you must admit Y as a logical consequence and here's why....). That he's passionately committed to animals and animal welfare is clear from the first sentence of the text. One of the first logical arguments in the book, interestingly enough, is the concept of personhood not necessarily being synonymous with being biologically human. He posits that animals can be people and thus have inherent moral value. Since they're valid and have moral value as people, we have a moral obligation to not harm or exploit them and as a logical result, a moral obligation to be vegan.
I have been, along with my family, trying to eat a more plant based diet for philosophical and health benefit reasons, to help (even in a tiny way) the environment and also because mass production farming methods are shockingly inhumane. This book didn't sway me much one way or the other, but it did make me think quite a lot.
The author has a confrontational, courtroom style of expository writing. Some readers will certainly feel attacked and uncomfortable. Other readers will dismiss the ideas and writing out of hand. Some few (I suspect) will be made to really think and confront their biases and change their thoughts and feelings, and it is for these (relative) few I believe this book could be an important catalyst for change, and for these few, therefore, this book is really written.
Do I think it's going to become Heidegger, Plato, Kant, or even Rachel Carson or John Muir to future generations? No. However, the author definitely has something to say, and it's a worthwhile book on which to ruminate.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 12, 2020
The author is a well known scholar of Animal Rights and the Law surrounding Animal abuse. I am a vegan and was grateful to read this for review. Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity. I have read former works by the author and always find his writing passionate and very informative on the subject of Sentient beings exploited and slaughtered for unenlightened people. I found this book to be a remarkable book and very educational. i highly recommend this book .
People that are reviewing this book in a negative fashion are obvious not animal lovers or vegans. Being vegan is a moral choice and those of us that are long time vegans like the author put up with our fair share of abuse which stems from ignorance. In that regard this is a book I recommend for people that are ignorant to factory farming . I do recommend this for all vegans to continue our journey of fact based information and passionate advocacy.
The author explains to his readers why veganism is the only moral choice and the only healthy choice. I appreciate that he includes how most people see humans superior to other sentient beings as this is basis of the problem of meat eaters. He talks of animal rights, the movement and how eating meat impacts our health and our planet. He writes of the atrocities animals suffer which is necessary to educate readers that are not aware. Its a very comprehensive book and would be a great educational took for those that are considering going plant based. I highly recommend this book.
People that are reviewing this book in a negative fashion are obvious not animal lovers or vegans. Being vegan is a moral choice and those of us that are long time vegans like the author put up with our fair share of abuse which stems from ignorance. In that regard this is a book I recommend for people that are ignorant to factory farming . I do recommend this for all vegans to continue our journey of fact based information and passionate advocacy.
The author explains to his readers why veganism is the only moral choice and the only healthy choice. I appreciate that he includes how most people see humans superior to other sentient beings as this is basis of the problem of meat eaters. He talks of animal rights, the movement and how eating meat impacts our health and our planet. He writes of the atrocities animals suffer which is necessary to educate readers that are not aware. Its a very comprehensive book and would be a great educational took for those that are considering going plant based. I highly recommend this book.
September 13, 2020
This is not a book, it is a treatise or manifesto of veganism. An entirely philosophical view on veganism from a pretty extremist position. Gary L. Francione takes no prisoners. Anyone cutting down on meat in their consumption is still not good enough. He does not care that a pure vegan diet is difficult to be balanced and healthy. I gave Paul Shapiro's "Clean Meat" five stars, so I am not militant pro-Meat. But this book is a manifesto for the "militant extremist Hezbollah wing of the vegetarians"*) - the vegans. Independent of this, the book is difficult to read, not even entertaining.
*) borrowed from Anthony Bourdains "Kitchen Confidential".
*) borrowed from Anthony Bourdains "Kitchen Confidential".
September 13, 2020
This is not a book, it is a treatise or manifesto of veganism. An entirely philosophical view on veganism from a pretty extremist position. Gary L. Francione takes no prisoners. Anyone cutting down on meat in their consumption is still not good enough. He does not care that a pure vegan diet is difficult to be balanced and healthy. I gave Paul Shapiro's "Clean Meat" five stars, so I am not militant pro-Meat. But this book is a manifesto for the "militant extremist Hezbollah wing of the vegetarians"*) - the vegans. Independent of this, the book is difficult to read, not even entertaining.
*) borrowed from Anthony Bourdains "Kitchen Confidential".
*) borrowed from Anthony Bourdains "Kitchen Confidential".
January 10, 2024
As someone who is a vegan but often struggles with how to communicate why I feel that it’s important to others, I found this book extraordinary at exploring many feelings I’ve had but could never put into words. I think that if you have the capacity to care for animals, there is no legitimate way to dispute any of the arguments made in this book.
I suppose that my only issue is that if its goal is to encourage people to try veganism, it perhaps over-intellectualises some topics, which may dissuade certain readers. But if its value is in empowering people like myself to have more effective conversations with others on the topic, it is an incredibly worthwhile read.
I suppose that my only issue is that if its goal is to encourage people to try veganism, it perhaps over-intellectualises some topics, which may dissuade certain readers. But if its value is in empowering people like myself to have more effective conversations with others on the topic, it is an incredibly worthwhile read.
January 10, 2021
2-2.5 stars
I agree with the sentiments but personally I am not a fan of philosophy. The writing is also quite repetitive and I have serious doubts that this would ever convince someone to go vegan.
Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley & publisher in exchange for an honest review. (They may regret this.) Any and all quotes were taken from an advanced edition subject to change in the final edition.
I agree with the sentiments but personally I am not a fan of philosophy. The writing is also quite repetitive and I have serious doubts that this would ever convince someone to go vegan.
Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley & publisher in exchange for an honest review. (They may regret this.) Any and all quotes were taken from an advanced edition subject to change in the final edition.
January 26, 2024
While I agree with the author's main point (that veganism is a moral imperative), I found the book itself quite boring and hard to read. Mostly it was due to multiple repetitions of the same idea over and over again. It seems that either the book was poorly edited or the author lacked more ideas to fill the pages.
May 1, 2021
If you are into philosophy and lawyerspeak, this could be the book for you. But it's not the book for me.
April 9, 2023
I have been reading about ten books about animal rights. And this one is by far the best. I strongly recommend anyone who thinks that animals matters morally to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews