Ancient Greek Philosophers Warned Us About Eating Animals
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy

FROM

IDA In Defense of Animals
December 2017

Since humans began recording their thoughts a few thousand years ago, many great minds have foreseen the grim consequences of eating animals that we now face today.

Bust of Socrates

Since humans began recording their thoughts a few thousand years ago, many great minds have foreseen the grim consequences of eating animals that we now face today.

For instance, there's this fascinating excerpt from Plato’s The Republic (469-399 BC):

Socrates: Would this habit of eating animals not require that we slaughter animals that we knew as individuals, and in whose eyes we could gaze and see ourselves reflected, only a few hours before our meal?
Glaucon: This habit would require that of us.

Socrates: Wouldn’t this [knowledge] hinder us in achieving happiness?
Glaucon: It could so hinder us in our quest for happiness.

Socrates: And, if we pursue this way of living, will we not have need to visit the doctor more often?
Glaucon: We would have such need.

Socrates: If we pursue our habit of eating animals, and if our neighbor follows a similar path, will we not have need to go to war against our neighbor to secure greater pasturage, because ours will not be enough to sustain us, and our neighbor will have a similar need to wage war on us for the same reason?
Glaucon: We would be so compelled.

Socrates: Would not these facts prevent us from achieving happiness, and therefore the conditions necessary to the building of a just society, if we pursue a desire to eat animals?
Glaucon: Yes, they would so prevent us.

Fast forward to now, and the accuracy of this dialogue is chilling.

While we cannot go back in time, we can certainly move forward. With every meal, we have the choice to save animals from immense suffering and slaughter, and to protect the environment and our wellbeing.

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