EA Forum Podcast (Curated & popular) “3 doubts about veganism” by emre kaplan🔸
Dec 12, 2025
The discussion dives into the challenges of veganism, arguing its ambitious standards may alienate potential supporters. Emre Kaplan highlights the problems in a movement that enforces extreme purity, leading to conflicts and infighting. He emphasizes the need for clearer guidelines to strengthen community bonds. Additionally, the lack of forgiveness for moral missteps discourages retention among followers. Kaplan critiques the focus on behavior over broader political objectives, suggesting a more inclusive approach could benefit the animal advocacy movement.
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Maximalist Definition Breeds Infighting
- Veganism's official definition is maximally prohibitive and aims to avoid all animal exploitation 'as far as possible.'
- This maximalism fuels endless debates about who counts as vegan and harms movement cohesion.
Examples Of Harmful Exclusionary Disputes
- Kaplan lists real conflicts: debates over celebrity vegans, plant-based companies testing on animals, and frequent exclusion fights.
- He argues these fights are technically correct but politically damaging to advocacy goals.
Prefer Clear Standards Over Vague Maximalism
- Avoid vague, maximalist rules that invite constant policing and infighting within a movement.
- Consider clearer authorities or definitions like organized religion or vegetarianism to reduce disputes.