Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World

by Jordi Casamitjana

‘Ethical veganism is not just a diet. Not just an opinion; nor a trend. This is a 21st-century revolution which began more than twenty centuries ago.’
Ethical veganism is not only about the food you choose to consume, it is a coherent philosophical belief that affects most areas of your life, and which could be the answer to today’s global crises.
Jordi Casamitjana is the vegan zoologist and animal protection campaigner whose landmark Employment Tribunal in 2020 made ethical veganism a protected belief in Great Britain. Ethical Vegan describes Jordi’s extraordinary life and the animal encounters which led him to veganism and legal victory. It debunks myths and dispels preconceptions, offering a comprehensive analysis of veganism as a philosophy and as a socio-political transformative movement. Taking in history, science and everyday living, it explores how it is possible to dress ethically, travel, consume and work responsibly and, of course, eat well without compromising vegan ethics.
Ethical Vegan is a riveting read – Jordi Casamitjana argues passionately for humans to interact with the world in a positive and compassionate way. This thought-provoking manifesto for ‘doing no harm’ has the power to open people’s minds and help to achieve a better future for all living things and the planet.

Genres: Vegan, Philosophy, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2020

Reviews

[Evelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowowow!!! 💚

[Martin Begley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordi Casamitjana (hereinafter JC) has written a very entertaining and educational book about ethical veganism, detailing his own personal journey from Catalonia to London and from carnism to being one of the most ethical vegans on the planet. This personal story is intertwined with the story of how he was unfairly dismissed from his employment and came to take his case to the Employment Tribunal and along the way succeeded in getting a landmark ruling that ethical veganism is covered in the UK as a protected belief under the 2010 Equality Act. A third strand intertwined with both these stories is the history of, and whys and wherefores of, ethical veganism.

All three stories are told in an entertaining and informative manner, and each section left me wanting to carry on reading to find out what happened next. JCs writing style makes for a very comfortable read. I learned an awful lot from this book, particularly regarding the history of veganism.

I would highly recommend this book to anybody who is currently vegan, vegan curious, or just plain curious. I would also recommend that readers find a copy of his previous book which was written under the pen name of JC Costa and is called The Demon's Trial. This is an autobiographical novel about JCs switch to becoming a vegan and is also very entertaining and gripping.

[Peter Egan]

I cannot recommend this book more highly. It is beautifully written. Jordi Casamitjana is a superb writer. For me the book falls into 3 categories..part autobiography..part reference book and part thriller. The element of autobiography deals with Jordi’s upbringing in Spain under the dictatorship of Franco..not an enviable upbringing if you are a Catalan..the reference element introduces us to the origins of veganism and will surprise the reader to find that it is older than many religions and finally the thriller element. This threads throughout the book..teasing us with information about the fight he had with a charity..who should’ve known better..sacked him because of his beliefs and the resulting court case which declared that veganism is a protected belief not just an opinion or a fad. The book is fantastic I urge you to read it. Peter Egan.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well rounded look at all aspects of the journey of veganism both for society and for Jordi.
Interesting for the historical look at the roots of the movement and the belief in ‘do no harm’ as a way to live as well as for the more personal insight into how a life is lived this way.
An inspiration to be a more compassionate human towards all creatures including our fellow humans.

[Philippe Christof · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read more about the personal narrative behind the recent court cases, and Jordi Casamitjana tells his story in such an elegant way, that you feel like you really get to know him, you get the whole picture. You also get this within the context of a global movement driving towards a more compassionate society. Loved it!

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I find the authors intentions admirable, as a book I didn’t find it very readable. He’s a bit too proselytizing and convinced that the only answer is for everyone in the world to be a vegan. I am a vegan I get it I don’t wanna see animals suffering but I also think we need to approach this realistically in order to affect change and not alienate people. Also half the book is made up of lists of things that you can and cannot eat or wear, I can go online and find that information.

[Jade Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging book which tells the story of Jordi’s journey towards becoming an ethical vegan, his fight for equality in the workplace for vegans, as well as giving an overview of the history of veganism, the concept of ahimsa and how to be an ethical vegan in the modern age. Insightful, informative and inspiring as well as giving hope for a vegan future. As a relatively new vegan I now understand more about the philosophy of ethical veganism and feel more committed to this way of living.

[Ruth Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this - I really recommend it.

The story of how Ethical Veganism came to be - from millenia ago, to now protected by the Equality Act 2010...

Have a read about the power of kindness to save lives, avert global climate catastrophe, mass extinction, world hunger and most pandemics, alongside one individuals personal journey

[Anna Malia]

Found this book inspirational. Very honest and frank account of life and the famous court case. But it is also a ‘how to be vegan’ manual for new and long term vegans alike. Well worth a read.

[Kevin Linton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A low barrier to entry, but probably still best for those who are already vegan. Hearing Jordi's personal experiences, challenges, and victories is engaging and serves as a framework on which other activists can build. I agree with almost all the arguments Jordi presents in detail but I have a few minor points of contention and many questions which remain unanswered. Of course, I do not expect all answers to all vegan-related questions in a book of less than 300 pages.

Through his brief discussion of suffering in wild animals, Jordi has convinced me that ethical veganism is more greatly connected to environmentalism than I would have argued before reading this book. He also strengthened my belief that asking for 100% veganism is the most effective demand that can be made.

In his normative ethical position, Jordi distinguishes between negative experiences and suffering but I can't grasp this distinction. Perhaps my utilitarian perspective is clouding my understanding, but what is a negative experience, if not some form of suffering? Whilst perhaps a more pedantic point, Jordi also claims that suffering is not intrinsically bad when a better argument is that whilst suffering is intrinsically bad, it may not be extrinsically bad (e.g. when it prevents further, worse harms).

At times, I feel that Jordi's ethical positions are underdeveloped (or at least under-communicated). Arguments such as allowing (non-disease carrying) mosquitos to suck your blood rather than killing them require further explanation. At other times, I feel that Jordi's positions are bad for vegans and the vegan movement e.g. as he has not been vaccinated since becoming an ethical vegan. His hybrid teleological/deontological approach to ethics also leaves me questioning whether Tom Regan's approach requires that vegans forgo any medical products tested on animals (although I presume Regan has spoken about this, I have not yet come across such literature).

Nonetheless, I respect Jordi's genuine commitment to reducing the suffering of sentient beings. His knowledge about mollusc sentience was informative, and his commitment to ethical transportation systems (beyond pure environmental considerations) leaves a lot for me to think about.

Jordi's desire to compensate for the pre-vegan suffering he caused is close to my heart but it also opens up questions about double-accounting when Agent A caused Agent B to forgo harm.

Whilst they address valid concerns, the arguments that vegans should have children/adopt children to keep the movement ongoing (as opposed to sustained growth through conversions) and that flexitarians are unlikely to reduce animal product consumption (e.g. vegan milk vs dairy milk) due to ethical reasoning unconvincing. Most people know that animal agriculture is bad, even if they don't fully rationally and emotionally comprehend how bad it is - but I find it unlikely that these semi-informed decisions are not the result of some ethical reasoning.

Overall, a really nice read - and I look forward to further thinking & action based on Jordi's work.

[Jordi Casamitjana]

Here are some of the quotes about the book found in the first pages:

‘A very personal story and a very unusual one. Jordi’s account of his life, from Spain where he was born to the UK where he now lives, is not only a physical journey but a psychological one as well. His feelings and views about the exploitation of animals, particularly those that are raised and killed to be eaten, are powerfully and poignantly described. Those who have already started to tread the vegan path will find it profoundly reassuring. Those with different views will, nonetheless, have their eyes opened to a new way of thinking. After all, there can never be too much compassion and
kindness in the world.’ Virginia McKenna OBE, co-founder of Born Free Foundation

‘An incredibly comprehensive guide to what it means to be an ethical vegan, from its historical origins to the practicalities of everyday modern life. Jordi’s court case means that the beliefs of
ethical vegans, quite rightly, have to be respected. A book like this is really helpful for anyone who wants to understand why.’ Kerry McCarthy MP

‘A personal journey and one of the most important stories in veganism today. Jordi Casamitjana’s Ethical Vegan dives into the deep past of our relationship with animals, from Buddhist ethics
to Taoist wisdom to the latest social and cognitive science. He explores what it means to live ethically alongside non-human beings. I loved this book for its generous telling of his legal battle
to win recognition for veganism in the workplace, its wide ranging sources, and the way in which Casamitjana pinpoints what we need to do now to make the world better for animals, including
us humans.’ Dr Alex Lockwood, academic and author

‘With Jordi Casamitjana’s lucid storytelling interspersed with ancient wisdom and empirical evidence, this book can illuminate our understanding of what it means to be vegan in much the way
Yuval Noah Harare’s Sapiens explained what it is to be a modern human. As informative as it is incisive, as inspiring as it is inviting, this book will become one of the stand-out pieces of literature
in the animal liberation movement. A must read whether you are vegan, vegetarian or otherwise!’
Joel ‘Jay Brave’ Bravette, sustainability champion and trustee of The Vegan Society and Made In Hackney youth ambassador

[Caryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took forever to finish. Had I known it was written by a sanctimonious turd who was spending nearly 300 pages talking about himself, I wouldn’t have read it. There are scant, if any, references, and the book is essentially a story of how this guy is so great because he tries his best to avoid stepping on even the tiniest of invertebrates and also his delusional ideas of a future vegan utopia. Barf. Don’t get me wrong, I am vegan and support anyone who is trying to better the world by avoiding exploitation of others but this is just painful to read. He could have HUGELY benefitted from someone else translating this to English rather than him doing it himself. Also a grammar/content editor would have been nice. Do not waste your time.

Only gave it 2 stars because I try to support vegans everywhere. Still, skip this garbage.

[Emilia Leese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything- it’s a dive into vegan history, philosophy and there’s a gripping autobiographical story of someone who changes their life and in doing that changes history too.