HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED DUE TO MORAL AGENCY AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Being a vegan and speaking up for animal rights and liberation often puts you in a position many don’t want to be in. It provides a surface to attack, an unpleasant friction point, and provides a reflection of the values for those who still pay for animal exploitation.

This blog post is written to give you, the vegan and animal activist, the strength and courage to stand strong and to speak up against the injustice done to animals and to give you the courage to be disliked because it is the morally right thing to do - and I will explain to you why.

OUR MORAL COMPASS & THE GOLDEN RULE

Deep down we all know that exploiting and killing animals is wrong. We know so because we are born a species with a capacity to define our moral compass due to moral agency and therefore live by ethical principles. Ethical principles are strongly represented by the Golden Rule that says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Every vegan knows and lives those ethical principles, and if one once understood the consequences of one’s actions and what they mean for the animals, there is no way back to old habits, thinking, and behaviors.

♥ Read About “Traditions Are Peer Pressure From Dead People Trying To Justify Violence” HERE

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE FOUR FUNDAMENTAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPECT FOR AUTONOMY
Autonomy is Latin for “self-rule”. We have an obligation to respect the autonomy of others, which is to respect the existence, will, interest, and decisions made by others concerning their own lives.
THE PRINCIPLE OF BENEFICENCE
We have an obligation to bring about good in all our actions.
THE PRINCIPLE OF NONMALEFICENCE
We have an obligation not to harm others; “First, do no harm”. Combining beneficence and nonmaleficence, the principle says that each action must produce more good than harm.
THE PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE
We have an obligation to provide others with whatever they are owed or deserve, meaning that we have to treat others equally, fairly, and impartially. The definition of justice is not determined by what the law says, but rather what the Golden Rule and all the principles combined say.

To name a few more values that most people associate with ethical behavior: social justice (fairness, equality), accountability, protecting the weak, kindness, compassion, respect, autonomy, etc.

♥ Read about “What Side Do You Stand On?” HERE

OUR ACTIONS & THEIR CONSEQUENCES

Attitudes (a way of thinking or feeling in reagards to someone or something), beliefs (ideas that are accepted as true without any facts), values (someone’s own set of principles which are considered of great importance) determine our actions, which then have consequences on others if we do not take responsibility for our actions and counteract harm.

It is interesting how humans live, mostly unknowingly, the biggest double standard and hypocrisy when it comes to their understanding of justice and equality for all. Why love and respect one, but not the other? How are non-human animals different from us to ever justify what we are doing to them?

We, as humans, have the capability to learn more and more about empathy and feel it too if we let our guard down and allow ourselves to feel emotions of all kinds.

♥ Read about “About Empathy and Veganism And How To Develop It” HERE

HOLDING OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS

After reading into this here, it should be very clear who needs to be held accountable and who truly needs to justify their actions. It is not those who promote a kind, just, compassionate and equal way of living.

I can't take people seriously who know of the pain and suffering of non-human animals but think they have to convince me that there is any possible justification out there nowadays for killing innocent animals because I know that they just talk so much about the “best/most humane killing method” and “baby steps” of those happy and free animals (they consider a commodity) to make themselves feel better about the harm they are causing to them and the violence they are supporting and funding.

♥ Read about “Do You Hate Animals Or Why Do You Pay For Their Murder?” HERE
♥ Read about “F*ck Your Stupid Baby Steps” HERE
♥ Read about “Why I Can't Be Emotionally Close To Non-Vegans” HERE

I ENCOURAGE YOU ...

And by knowing this, I encourage you not to let anyone get you down, not to let anyone tell you that you are extreme, different in a negative sense, that you are tedious and militant.

On the contrary, I encourage you to be proud to act against the system, to fight against social human hypocrisy, and to make your own conscious decisions according to your ethical understanding.

I encourage you to be disliked when it values and saves the lives of others in the name of justice, for a better future for all earthlings.

NOT YET VEGAN?
Are you ready to be the change you want to see for this world?

♥ Check out “The Vegan Starter Kit (aka the Vegan Kick In The Arse)” HERE
♥ Sign up for a free vegan kick-start program
♥ Watch this video by Earthling Ed and you’ll never look at life the same way again

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Please note:

* when the term "human" is used, then human animals are meant by it, and the same applies to the term "animal", who are non-human animals.

All definitions of words and/or stated facts are based on the correct terminology and are carefully research and the sources taken are linked here or directly in the blog post. This blog post is also stating a personal opinion and views on certain topics.

All shown illustrations and graphics are my own and are highly restricted to be copied and used freely, without any permission.