Standard Arguments Against Veganism, Pt. 10

May 17, 2021

"Funny, the way people’s minds work, isn’t it?"
-J.K. Rowling,
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

1. "I feel healthy as a non-vegan"

It seems humans believe that simply because we live longer now than we did in the past and have access to medicine and advanced technology, that means we are a healthier society. However, the truth of the matter is that we are living sicker longer, and it is only because of medical innovations that we can survive as long as we do.

For example, think of someone you know who's had a heart attack. Maybe it was yourself; maybe you've known many people who've suffered this common ailment. But think about the words: Heart. Attack. Literally, your heart is attacking you. Your body is attacking itself in a last, desperate attempt to tell you that something is seriously wrong. This is not natural. No other non-domesticated species of animal suffers from heart attacks. It is a warning for you to immediately begin making healthy changes in your lifestyle, not to move veins from your legs into your heart to keep your blood pumping so you can continue living unhealthily.

Regardless, this excuse also ignores an important fact that most people have never attempted a completely plant-based diet and, therefore, have no idea if they would feel healthier eating that way. It's easy to believe that feeling bad is normal when you've never truly felt good.

Lastly, not to feed a fed horse, but veganism is about animal rights, not healthfulness (though, luckily, we can have both). Feeling healthy while exploiting animals is like feeling healthy while attending Klan meetings; your personal well-being isn't really the issue at hand in that situation.

2. "I only eat a little bit of __________"

This excuse makes me think of the meme that goes something like this:

Carnist: "Don't worry, I only eat a little bit of meat."
Animal: "Well, thanks. I'm only a little bit dead."

This was actually one of the excuses I faced even before being vegan, as I gave up "red meat" about eight years prior. Some friends questioned this choice, saying that giving up a little bit of bacon doesn't really do anything in the grand scheme of things. That there's no point in giving up anything because you'll never get every single person to give up everything. This realization disheartened me as a child, but nevertheless I continued on because I knew in my heart that I couldn't eat a pig or a cow. As an adult, I know that "just a little bit" of animal products means that you're harming "just a little bit" of animals. And why do that if there are alternatives?

Additionally, if everyone only eats "a little bit," how is the animal agriculture industry still growing so quickly? Every year, more and more animals are being pumped through slaughterhouses because more people want to eat them. When it comes to taking the lives of others, there is no "little bit." We don't get do-overs. There is no second chance; life isn't a videogame. Each time we choose to eat them, we are choosing to end their life forever.

*Please see Part 4 for more information on the "everything in moderation" excuse.

3. "I know all I need to know, thank you very much"

It’s hard to know exactly how to approach this excuse when someone thinks they know everything, completely shutting you down by saying that they know the truth and anything you say is wrong. Don't try too hard with people like this; similar to the “I don’t care” people, it’s going to be difficult to get them really thinking about the issues during a conversation. However, I do have two tips that may be helpful.

One, respond directly to their excuses, using facts and/or analogies (depending on what topic you’re discussing -- health, for example, will differ from animal rights) and providing resources -- this is essential -- that can back up your statements or help them learn more about your argument.

Two, at the end of the conversation, when you’ve tried to respond but they simply aren’t budging, end it politely but firmly. Say something like, “Ok, I can see this conversation isn’t really going anywhere right now. I have provided you with evidence that counters your arguments, and if you truly care about learning the truth -- and I can tell you do by your passionate debating -- please just give these sources a glance before coming to a definitive conclusion on the issue. Thanks for the conversation, and I hope to hear from you again!”

4. "I tried going vegan, but it just didn't work for me"

Similar to the first excuse on this list, let me provide a brief reminder that veganism is about ethics, not diet. This excuse is generally in response to a plant-based diet, which is only one part of veganism. In actuality, it's a very small part because that is just one way of many that we each abuse animals. Veganism is about a shift in perspective, seeing nonhuman animals as autonomous, sentient individuals worthy of respect.

5. "It's because of people like you that I'll never be vegan"

As we've seen many times before, this is one of the common arguments used to deflect blame and place it back on vegans. There will always be people who find fault with you, someone else, or an unrelated incident as an excuse to not take accountability for their own actions as they pertain to animal rights. But we are each our own persons and should be capable of thinking and acting for ourselves. It’s perfectly acceptable to continue disliking a particular vegan or certain kinds of activism while also not oppressing animals in the process.

be conscious, be kind, be vegan