Vegetarianism As A Selfish Act?

Vegetarianism as a Selfish Act?

If vegetarianism is anything, it’s unselfish. That is the whole point of vegetarianism; a person chooses not to eat meat for the sake of animals, not because of his or her own appetite. It is a sacrifice, an inconvenience, and often a nuisance for a person in the Hindu religion to avoid eating meat. Meat is everywhere. Although vegetarianism may be a hassle, certain people practice it because they feel they have no ethical right to impose culinary habits on the carcasses of cows, pigs, fish or any other type of animal.

Many types of religions follow the practice of vegetarianism. For example, Hinduism, my religion, is one of many that follow a tradition not to eat meat because animals too have rights and are in fact living things. Fraser in her argument articulates that one who does not eat meat is a nuisance for others, a complete antisocial being and therefore ultimately selfish. While it may be true that one’s decision to not consume slaughtered animals may affect others and cause a burden, it never is a reason to be antisocial or “selfish.” Honestly, eating meat is in no way even related to popularity or one’s relationships with others.

Vegetarianism is the foundation of one’s life; it teaches one to be less selfish, it teaches one respect for life, disciple and a sense of humility. “One will notice that someone who truly understands vegetarianism will have a sense of humility about them because they will have respect for all life.” For example, Mahatma Gandhi, who above all was a strict vegetarian, hardly a selfish man, discusses the fact that a vegetarian diet would not only satisfy the requirements of the body, it would also serve an economic purpose as meat was, and still is, generally more expensive than grains, vegetables and fruits.

It is ridiculous to state that in terms of one’s social status, one’s