Deep Vegetarianism (America In Transition) [Paperback]

Michael Allen Fox (Author)

Book Description

Series: America In Transition | Publication Date: June 30, 1999

Challenging the basic assumptions of a meat-eating society, "Deep Vegetarianism" is a spirited and compelling defense of a vegetarian lifestyle. Considering all of the major arguments both for and against vegetarianism and the habits of meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike, Michael Allen Fox addresses vegetarianism's cultural, historical, and philosophical background, details vegetarianism's impact on one's living and thinking, and relates vegetarianism to classical and recent defenses of the moral status of animals. Demonstrating how a vegetarian diet is related to our awareness of the world and our ethical outlook on life, Fox looks at the different kinds of vegetarian commitments people make and their reasons for making them. In chapters that address such issues as the experiences, emotions, and grounds that are part of choosing vegetarianism, Fox discusses not only good health, animal suffering, and the environmental impacts of meat production, but such issues as the meaning of food, world hunger, religion and spirituality, and, significantly, the links shared between vegetarianism and other human rights movements and ideologies, particularly feminism. In an extensive chapter that addresses arguments made by advocates of meat-eating, Fox speaks to claims of humans as natural carnivores, animals as replaceable, and vegetarians as anti-feminist. He also addresses arguments surrounding the eating habits of indigenous peoples, eating free-range animals, and carnivorous behavior among animals. The most complete examination of the vegetarian outlook to date, "Deep Vegetarianism" reveals the broad range of philosophical views that contribute to such a choice. It recognizes, and calls for, a conscious awareness of and an individual responsibility to the issues that exist in the moral, political, and social spheres of our existence. With its lively and controversial discussion, "Deep Vegetarianism" promises to appeal to anyone looking to explore the relationship between dietary choice, lifestyle, the treatment of animals and the environment, and personal ethical responsibility. It will also be particularly useful for students and teachers of moral philosophy, ethics, religion, comparative cultures, ecology, and feminism. Author note: Michael Allen Fox has authored and edited numerous books and is Professor of Philosophy at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Once an outspoken advocate for animal experimentation, he has since repudiated that view and has published numerous articles in support of vegetarianism and animal rights.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Detailed, thorough, and wide-ranging, this is the most comprehensive, original work on philosophical vegetarianism to date. Deep Vegetarianism addresses the cultural, historical and philosophical backgrounds for vegetarianism, details the impact to vegetarianism on one's thinking and living, relates vegetarianism to recent defenses of the moral status of animals, and very ably considers all the significant arguments for and against vegetarianism." --Evelyn B. Pluhar, author of Beyond Prejudice: The Moral Significance of Human and Nonhuman Animals

From the Publisher

A compelling argument for a vegetarian lifestyle --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (June 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566397057
• ISBN-13: 978-1566397056
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,559,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant, December 19, 2000

By 

Resident Philosopher "jdf212" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Vegetarianism (America In Transition) (Hardcover)

Fox's book is a brilliant synthesis of the compelling philosophical, environmental, health, moral, political, cultural, and spiritual reasons for vegetarianism. The real strength of this broad-based "reader" is its ability to bring these diverse arguments together as a coherent whole, while presenting counter-arguments with a fair and balanced hand. "Deep Vegetarianism" is written in an accessible, non-dogmatic style that is sure to be enjoyed by anyone with a passing interest in the subject. Highly recommended!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Food for thought, June 6, 2000

By 

Angus Taylor (Angus Taylor) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deep Vegetarianism (America In Transition) (Paperback)

Michael Allen Fox has written a calm, reasoned assessment of the arguments for and against vegetarianism. A great merit of the book is that it explores philosophical arguments in a way that makes them accessible to the general public. Fox doesn't preach to his readers, nor does he expect us all to become saints overnight. Rather, he asks us to consider the far-reaching effects of our dietary choices, and to choose wisely. This is a first-rate book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book, May 1, 2000

By 

L. Triche (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deep Vegetarianism (America In Transition) (Paperback)

If you are interested in ethical reasons for becoming or remaining a vegetarian, this is a very good book. Fox draws from various areas to support a vegetarian diet from ethical considerations. His most convincing arguments position vegetarianism as a environmental ethics subissue. He also speaks of the pain and suffering that the big meat industry casts on animals. He is conscious of the need to make a decision to become vegetarian to be a gradual one and incorporates that understanding in the book. Fox has written a convincing and interesting book. And it is certainly a shift from his previous book when he advocated for the use of nonhuman animals in scientific experimentation. No more of that! Great read!