Understanding Resourceism: How It Shapes Vegan Ideology
Economy | Biosphere | Ethics
Resourceism is a philosophy that advocates for the equitable distribution of resources to ensure the well-being of all inhabitants of the earth. It is the foundational belief that underpins a resource-based socio-economic system. Veganism, on the other hand, is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude the exploitation of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. While the two ideologies may seem different at first glance, there is a strong connection between them that cannot be ignored.
The principles and beliefs of veganism have been gaining popularity worldwide in recent years. With more people becoming aware of the environmental, ethical, and health impacts of animal agriculture, there has been a growing trend towards plant-based diets and cruelty-free lifestyles. However, the roots of veganism can be traced back to a larger ideology - resourceism.
Resourceism and Veganism: A Shared Philosophy
At its core, resourceism is a belief that all of the earth's resources belong to everyone and should be shared equally for the benefit of all. This includes natural resources like water, air, and land, as well as the resources needed to sustain human life, such as food and energy. By promoting the equitable distribution of resources, resourceism seeks to eliminate poverty, hunger, and inequality, and create a sustainable and just society.
Similarly, veganism seeks to eliminate the exploitation of animals and promote the development and use of animal-free alternatives. It recognizes that animals are sentient beings and that their lives matter just as much as human lives. By excluding animal products from their diets and lifestyles, vegans aim to reduce the suffering and cruelty inflicted upon animals in the food, clothing, and entertainment industries.
Resourceism and veganism share a fundamental belief in justice and equality. Both ideologies recognize that the earth's resources should be used in a way that benefits all beings, not just a privileged few. By promoting sustainability and ethical consumption, both resourceism and veganism seek to create a world where all beings can thrive.
"Resourceism and veganism share a common belief in justice, equality, and sustainability. By rejecting speciesism and carnism, we can create a world that is more compassionate and just for all beings."
Speciesism and Carnism: The Counterparts of Resourceism and Veganism
While resourceism and veganism share a common philosophy, they are often met with opposition from ideologies that promote the exploitation and consumption of animals. One such ideology is speciesism, which is the belief that some species are superior to others and that humans have the right to use and exploit animals for their purposes.
Speciesism is the parent ideology of carnism, which is the practice of consuming animal products. Carnism is not a conscious choice for most people but rather a social norm that is ingrained in society. It is a system of beliefs that justifies the exploitation of animals for food and creates a culture of violence toward animals.
Carnism is sustained by a variety of psychological mechanisms, such as the "just world" fallacy, which assumes that the world is fair and just and that those who suffer must deserve it. This fallacy allows people to justify the cruelty and exploitation inflicted upon animals, as they believe that animals exist solely for human use.
Resourceism and veganism are the counterpoints to speciesism and carnism. They seek to challenge the dominant paradigm that justifies the exploitation of animals and promote a more compassionate and sustainable way of living. By rejecting speciesism and carnism and embracing resourceism and veganism, we can create a world that is more just, equitable, and peaceful.
Conclusion
Resourceism and veganism may seem like two different ideologies at first glance, but they share a common philosophy that seeks to promote justice, equality, and sustainability. Resourceism advocates for the equitable distribution of resources, while veganism seeks to eliminate the exploitation of animals. Both ideologies challenge the dominant paradigm that justifies the exploitation of animals and promotes a more compassionate and sustainable way of living.
Speciesism and carnism, on the other hand, promote the exploitation and consumption of animals, perpetuating a culture of violence towards animals. By rejecting speciesism and carnism and embracing resourceism and veganism, we can create a world that is more just, equitable, and sustainable.
It is important to note that adopting a vegan lifestyle is not the only way to embrace resourceism. Resourceism is a larger ideology that encompasses all aspects of human life, from economics to politics to social justice. By embracing resourceism, we can work towards creating a world where all beings have access to the resources they need to thrive, without the need for exploitation or violence.
In summary, resourceism is the parent ideology of veganism, as both philosophies share a common belief in justice, equality, and sustainability. By rejecting speciesism and carnism and embracing resourceism and veganism, we can create a world that is more compassionate, just, and sustainable for all beings. It is up to us to make the conscious choice to promote resourceism and veganism and create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Featured
The Venus Project proposes an alternative vision of what the future can be if we apply what we already know to achieve a sustainable new world civilization. It calls for a straightforward redesign of our culture in which the age-old inadequacies of war, poverty, hunger, debt, and unnecessary human suffering are viewed not only as avoidable but as totally unacceptable. Anything less will result in a continuation of the same catalog of problems inherent in today's world.
Sources
The Venus Project - This is a non-profit organization that advocates for a resource-based economy and promotes sustainable living practices. [watch movie]
The Zeitgeist Movement - This is another non-profit organization that promotes the principles of the Venus Project, and advocates for a sustainable, resource-based economy. [watch movie]
Cowspiracy - This is a documentary film that explores the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and advocates for a plant-based diet. [watch movie]
Dominion - This is a documentary film that explores the treatment of animals in various industries, and advocates for veganism and animal rights. [watch movie]
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer - This is a book that explores the ethics of eating animals, and the environmental impact of animal agriculture. [watch movie]
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell - This is a book that explores the health benefits of a plant-based diet and the negative health effects of consuming animal products. [watch movie]
Worldwatch Institute - This is a research organization that focuses on environmental and sustainability issues and provides data and research on topics related to resourceism and veganism. [watch intro]
General Resources
Books:
Dominion: The Power of Animals in Nature and in Our Imagination by Matthew Scully
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Billion Hungry Mouths: Feeding the World Without Consuming the Planet by Colin Tudge
Websites and organizations:
Documentaries:
Academic articles:
"The Case for Animal Rights" by Tom Regan
‘‘Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism’’ by Melanie Joy
‘‘Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach’’ by Gary L. Francione
‘‘Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals’’ by Christine Korsgaard
Receive a single informative article daily at 12:01 AM by email. For additional updates, explore my homepage with exciting vegan and plant-based news content and delightful and delicious recipes. Stay connected to the vegan world and all it has to offer.
Visit The Vegan Project Global our Facebook page for more vegan outreach and education.
Also, visit our new YouTube channel
The information on this vegan/plant-based blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, medical, or professional advice. Readers should consult with appropriate professionals for specific advice tailored to their situation. The blog owner is not responsible for any reliance on the information herein.
As always, well argued, Michael. And I agree with it.
However, I do have a problem with the idea that anything produced on or by the earth is merely a 'resource' - equitably shared or not. In my view, the very use of the word promotes a human perspective that is objectifying and exploitative per se, whatever the harvest and whether or not the harvesting and distribution is ethically carried out.
So while I share your perspective, I think the way we use language is an important factor in how we relate to the other-than-human. We need a word that encompasses respect, compassion, empathy and gratitude for abundance, maybe?