Vegan for ethical reasons - 20 moral motives for going vegan

What are the ethical reasons for a vegan lifestyle? If you're looking for a clear answer to this question, you've come to the right place! Even if some people become vegan for health or ecological reasons, the origin of the Veganism clearly ethical in nature.

In discussions, I often hear that many vegans feel morally superior and are arrogant. This may be true in individual cases - but as a rule, the feeling of moral inferiority arises precisely at the moment when one's own actions no longer align with one's own values. This is the moment when many "non-vegans" listen to their hearts and begin to seriously consider veganism. 

In this article, I would therefore like to give you some ethical reasons for a vegan lifestyle. Let's go!

Overarching ethical reasons: Which moral motives are fundamentally important for vegans? 

While I was thinking about my personal motives, I noticed a few overarching reasons to which all the practical reasons mentioned in this article can be assigned.

Here I have them for you in advance for a better overview listed:

• Suffering, consciousness and personality of animals
• Responsibility for the environment
• Human well-being and coexistence
• Personal values and wishes

20 Moral motives: What are the specific ethical reasons for going vegan?

Now I would like to present concrete moral motives for this, why i live vegan and eat a plant-based diet - and why this will in all likelihood forever will stay that way.

Whether you are already vegan or not: I am the firm convictionthat we share the same moral views and that you will basically agree with the following reasons.

Suffering, consciousness and personality of animals as an ethical motive

Animals are sentient beings, the Pain, fear and joy can feel and a Right to physical integrity have

Accordingly, most vegans have animal ethical motives for their renunciation of animal products. Here I present them to you one by one.

1. prevent the killing of animals

Whether for meat, milk, cheese or eggs: Animals must die for human purposes. And well before their natural life expectancy. Better forms of husbandry, animal welfare labels and "organic" do nothing to change this. Being veganalready.

2. stop systematic exploitation

Animals are exploited by us humans and must also suffer before their early death. Whether for animal Food, fur, leather, wool or our mere Entertainment.

Who dispenses with animal products and vegan alternatives, do something about it.

3. combat cruelty to animals

Factory farming means Darkness, confinement, illness and suffering. Animals are systematically tortured to meet the needs of the industry.

When animals are used for human purposes, this is not possible without animal suffering and cruelty to animals. Veganism is therefore a Active ethically motivated stepto stop supporting these practices.

4. saving the lives of chicks and calves

Millions of male Chicks are shredded, because they cannot lay eggs. And male calves end up as veal because they are undesirable in milk production are.

The animals therefore have no value for the industry and are therefore killed. Statements such as "no animals die for eggs" or "no animals die for milk" are therefore wrong. A pretty serious moral reason against animal products, isn't it?

Book Tip: To better understand the consumption of animal meat in our society, I can warmly recommend the book "Eating animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer* recommend

5. stop animal transports

The long transportation of live animals to slaughterhouses or markets is also a very good ethical argument against meat consumption. Confinement, hunger, thirst and fear are the order of the day. Your veganism reduces demand and puts an end to these practices in the long term.

6. prevent animal testing

Millions of animals suffer in experiments for Cosmetics, household products or food tests. Those who live a vegan lifestyle do without such products and consciously prefer animal-free alternatives, for which such cruel practices are now no longer necessary are.

7. protect and promote animal rights

Animals are often seen as just a thing or a means to an end. If they are of no use to the industry, their lives are simply of no value. Of course, each animal has its own value - regardless of their benefit to humans.

The animals deserve protection, respect and the Recognition their rights. Going vegan is a clear commitment to this.

8. protect cows from artificial insemination

Bulls are forced to masturbate with an electric ejaculator and female cows chained while her vagina is fertilized with a tube or handle.

As this does not happen voluntarily, one can of course speak of a Rape speak. By eating a plant-based diet in future, you will prevent this animal suffering.

9. maintain the mother-child relationship of the animals

Female cows in industrial livestock farming are pregnant several times in her life. Only a few hours after birth, however, their calves are taken away from them so that the offspring do not drink the economically valuable milk.

The mother cows often call desperately for their little ones for days on end. As a vegan, you are putting a stop to this regular traumatic loss (for both animals) an end!

Responsibility for the environment as an ethical motive

Being vegan means, Using resources sustainably and to take responsibility for nature, on which all living beings on this planet depend. Which environmental ethical reasons are decisive, you can find out here.

10. preserving the planet for future generations

Whether climate change (e.g. through methane emissions from cows) or Deforestation of the rainforests (e.g. through animal feed cultivation in South America): Industrial livestock farming is the main cause of countless Environmental problems of our timethat are slowly but steadily destroying our planet. Ethically motivated vegans are aware of their responsibility to preserve the planet.

11. protect all life on earth

Every living being on our planet has its own value and is part of a delicate balance. We humans are also only part of nature and are dependent on other parts. That is why we need to protect ecosystems as habitats and protect the Preserving biodiversity. The plant-based diet helps decisively.

Whether for Cows, birds, wild bees or the diversity of plantsAs a vegan, I show my compassion and respect for all life on earth. Not only because it helps us humans, but above all because every single living creature has a right to exist.

Book Tip: Have a look at our book "Cooking for the climate" on. You'll find background information and delicious (vegan) recipes to cook. You can get it here*.

Human well-being and coexistence as an ethical motive

Being vegan doesn't just mean protecting animals and the environment, but also also other Help people. This socio-ethical reasons motivate me in particular.

12. stop world hunger

About 33 percent of global agricultural land are cultivated for the production of feed for livestock.¹ And to produce one calorie of beef, it takes 6 to 21 plant-based calories necessary. By consuming the maize, soy and grain directly and giving the "Avoid "detour animalAs a result, everyone has more to eat.

A vegan lifestyle is therefore the decisive step against the World hunger. A very good moral motive for going vegan. Don't you think?

13. promoting social health

Antibiotic resistance and Nutrition-related widespread diseases like Overweight, obesity, diabetes and Hypertension threaten our lives. By eating a balanced, purely plant-based diet and avoiding meat and other animal-based foods, you can reduce these health risks.

Your decision also promotes a healthier lifestyle in our society, from which ultimately all people benefit - whether intentional or unintentional. 🙂

Good to know: Why "vegan" is often healthy does not automatically mean healthy - I explain this in more detail in the linked blog post.

14. promoting a non-violent society

Why else is veganism the right choice from an ethical point of view? With a vegan lifestyle you are against violence. You stand for a peaceful coexistence and non-violence and firmly reject discrimination and hatred.

Also the Inhibition thresholdThe risk of harming another person increases when we no longer harm animals.

15. protect workers in slaughterhouses and residents living near factory farms from suffering and problems

Slaughterhouse employees are often precarious inhumane conditions and mental stress exposed. The smells and cries of the animals are also hard to bear for local residents.

In this way, you deprive the industry of its raison d'être and ensure that this An end to atrocities have. And are therefore on the good, compassionate side of history.

16. protect the indigenous people of the rainforests

Factory farming destroys rainforestsas space has to be created for pastures and the cultivation of animal feed. This means that the consumption of meat, eggs, milk and cheese also jeopardizes the Habitats of many indigenous peoples, such as Munduruku, Paiter Suruí or Huni Kuin.

A vegan lifestyle therefore not only protects the species-rich forests but also also preserves people's existence and cultural identitythat live in these natural areas.

17 Teaching ethical responsibility and anchoring it in society

Veganism inspires educational work on ethics, environmental protection and animal welfare. He questions socially accepted habits (e.g. meat consumption or Carnism) and prevents their consequences for us humans. It also strengthens positive values such as empathy and a sense of responsibility in our society.

Personal values and desires as an ethical motive

Here I have a few individual ethical motives for veganism that are directly linked to your beliefs and are a deep part of your personality.

18. be a role model for our children and grandchildren

Going vegan also means helping future generations. positive values and character traits like Compassion, responsibility and respect for all living beings to lead by example.

Through your daily actions, you show your children and grandchildren how to create a Shaping a more sustainable and fairer world can.

19. stop contradictory actions

By going vegan, you are even more the person you actually are. The unpleasant, contradictory feeling of Cognitive dissonance (e.g. "I love animals but I also eat them.") has finally come to an end.

Why exactly? It's simple: you would never cut someone's throat, you would never abuse a cow, you would never shred a chick to death - and you would never pay someone to do it for you. But as long as you eat animal products such as meat, eggs or cheeseyou are doing exactly that - consciously and deliberately.

Good to know: The belief that certain animals (e.g. cows and pigs) are for eating and others for cuddling (dogs or cats) is called Speciesism. You can read all about it in the linked blog post.

20. living in harmony with your own values

We humans have a moral compass. He says what is right and what is wrong. It's a great feeling to follow him. Simply because our actions are in line with your convictions. Such decisions are genuine and come from deep within us.

An ethical argument in favor of veganism is therefore also that it is a decision of the heart that Compassion for all living beings (see also Vegan against violence) - and also demonstrates many other personal values (e.g. mercy, equality, respect and love).

Tip: Some claim that Morality is not subjective and that animals do not live according to a moral code. In the linked article you can find out why the opposite is true.

Vegan for ethical reasons: An easy decision.

The decision to be vegan is therefore not the result of a feeling of moral superiority and is not not selfish. Nor is it an exclusive decision in favor of a plant-based diet or animal welfare.

It is an emphatic Life decisionby which you protect animals from exploitation and suffering, promote our social coexistence and protect people and the environment by simply remaining true to your personal values. For me, by the way, the vegan documentation like "Dominion" were decisive.

Ethical motives spring from your heart. And in contrast to purely health or ecological reasons, they make it much easier for you, Putting aside prejudices against veganism and to stay vegan in the long term.

If at some point all people in the world should be veganthen our moral values were definitely the key to it. 🙂

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer, moral teacher and pacifist (1869-1948)

One good start with easy vegan recipes, like the ones in the book "Vegan & Easy" by Bianca Zapatka* find. Good luck!

Do you have any questions, suggestions or even more moral reasons for veganism? Then I look forward to your comment.

Stay compassionate,

PS: I keep hearing from people who say that they are are no longer vegan. From convenience to cravings: In the linked article you can now find out what their motives are and why they definitely didn't go vegan for ethical reasons.

References:

1. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V.; P. Lymberyl: Viel Land für viel Vieh (as at: 08.01.2015), available at https://www.boell.de/de/2015/01/08/futtermittel-viel-land-fuer-viel-vieh. [17.12.2024]. ↩︎