Veganism
A philosophy excluding animal exploitation as far as possible.
Veganism involves avoiding animal products and animal-derived foods, rooted in a philosophy that animals should not be treated as commodities. Someone who follows this practice is called a vegan, and the term also applies to foods and materials made without animal ingredients. The word itself was created in 1944 by Donald and Dorothy Watson to set the practice apart from vegetarianism, which permits items like milk, honey, and eggs. Interest in veganism grew sharply during the 2010s.
Ethical veganism aims to exclude all forms of animal use whenever possible—whether for labor or food (such as meat, fish, eggs, honey, and dairy), clothing (like leather, wool, and fur), entertainment (including rodeos, zoos, circuses, and horse racing), services (such as mounted police or animal testing), or medicine (for instance, bile bear farms). People who adopt a vegan diet for health, environmental, or religious reasons are also commonly called vegans.
Several categories of veganism exist. Ethical veganism is driven by concern for animal welfare and avoids animals, animal products, and animal-tested items when feasible. Environmental veganism rejects animal products because industrial farming harms the environment. Dietary veganism—sometimes called strict vegetarianism—excludes meat, eggs, dairy, and other animal-derived substances, often for religious motives. Since 1988, the UK’s Vegan Society has defined veganism as a philosophy and way of living that seeks to exclude exploitation of and cruelty to animals for any purpose, as far as possible, while promoting animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. A 2021 study found this definition most popular among vegans, while non-vegans more often chose diet-only definitions like “strict vegetarianism.” In 2016, Germany’s Ministry for Consumer Protection approved a definition for vegan food, and in 2021, the International Organization for Standardization published ISO 23662 on criteria for vegetarian and vegan foods, though the Dutch Vegan Association rejected it as inconsistent.
Historically, vegetarianism dates back to the Indus Valley civilization (3300–1300 BCE) in ancient India, with early vegetarians including philosophers like Parshavnatha and Mahavira, as well as emperors Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. One of the earliest known vegans was the Arab poet al-Ma’arri (c. 973–1057),
- coined
- 1944
- coined_by
- Donald Watson and Dorothy Morgan
- field
- Ethics, diet, lifestyle
- known_for
- Abstaining from all animal products and rejecting animal commodity status
- earliest_known_vegan
- al-Ma'arri (c. 973 – c. 1057)
- first_vegan_society_founded
- 1944, London
Lore & Background
Although individuals have renounced animal products since ancient times—such as the Arab poet al-Ma'arri and English philosopher Lewis Gompertz—the term 'veganism' was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and Dorothy Morgan. They based the word on 'the first three and last two letters of vegetarian' to mark 'the beginning and end of vegetarian'. The Vegan Society held its first meeting in November 1944 in London, publishing a manifesto advocating exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, and animal milk, butter, and cheese.
Distinctions exist between ethical veganism (avoiding animal use for any purpose due to animal welfare), environmental veganism (avoiding animal products due to environmental damage), and dietary veganism (refraining from animal-derived substances, sometimes for religious reasons). The UK's Vegan Society definition from 1988 describes veganism as a philosophy seeking to exclude exploitation of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose, promoting animal-free alternatives. A 2021 study found this definition most popular among vegans, while non-vegans more often picked diet-only definitions.
Reader's Guide
Veganism's significance lies in its comprehensive rejection of animal commodity status, extending beyond diet to clothing, entertainment, services, and medicine. The movement gained formal structure with the founding of The Vegan Society in 1944 and saw a notable increase in interest during the 2010s. Its legacy includes influencing food labeling standards, such as the German Ministry for Consumer Protection's 2016 definition for vegan food and the 2021 ISO standard 23662, though the latter was rejected by the Dutch Vegan Association as inconsistent. The movement continues to evolve, with distinctions between ethical, environmental, and dietary veganism reflecting diverse motivations.
Did You Know?
- One of the earliest known vegans was the Arab poet al-Ma'arri (c. 973 – c. 1057), famous for his poem 'I No Longer Steal From Nature'.
- The word 'vegan' was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and Dorothy Morgan, based on 'the first three and last two letters of vegetarian'.
- World Vegan Day is held every 1 November to mark the founding of The Vegan Society.
- The first known vegan cookbook was Asenath Nicholson's 'Kitchen Philosophy for Vegetarians', published in 1849.
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