DOES THE TERM VEGAN ONLY APPLY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VEGANS FOR ETHICAL REASONS?

Question

I think I have misunderstood the term. I thought it was a general term applied to anybody who doesn't eat any animal products for whatever reason

Answer 1

you are right it is a term for anyone who does not eat meat or any animal products - but you can tell the difference between those who are vegan for medical or other reasons and those who are vegan for ethical reasons as in most cases it is only those who are vegan for ethical reasons do not wear leather etc

Answer 2

vegans are not only just a eating habit they have a lifestyle choice they prefer not to eat any animal products and not wear anything made from animals.

Answer 3

No. But vegan is more than just diet. Vegan is a lifestyle were they avoid animal products whether it's food or not. Just having a vegan diet isn't being vegan. That's just a strict vegetarian.

Answer 4

Yep, at least in my mind. Veganism is an animal-product-free lifestyle (food and otherwise), and there really aren't any reasons to live that way besides ethical reasons. A vegan *diet* is that of someone who doesn't eat animal products, but may use leather, wool, honey-based body products, etc.

Answer 5

Well, most of the time when someone doesn't eat or use any animal products at all it is for ethical reasons. Because alot of vegans don't eat honey and honey isn't as bad for you as red meat.

Answer 6

Just anyone who doesn't eat or wear anything that comes from an animal, bird, fish or invertebrate. The reason is irrelevant to the term.

Answer 7

A person that doesn't eat any animal products but doesn't do it for any ethical reason would be strict vegetarian, not vegan.

http://www.vegansociety.com/newsroom/ind...

A vegan person or vegan(which doesn't sound right to me) is someone that avoids all of those things because they do not want to exploit animals.

If a person thinks that it's acceptable to use animals to make money or feed, clothe them, etc., the definition of 'a vegan' would not apply to them.

Just because someone doesn't fit the meaning of this word, it doesn't mean that their efforts are not commendable.

Answer 8

No, people have varied reasons for being vegan.. including health, ethics, religion, allergies,.etc..

Vegan = a person who does not eat or use any animal products.  This includes food, drink, clothes, household furniture, etc..  

Veganism also would preclude a person from going to a rodeo, the circus or any other event "using" animals.  Though some vegans have animals in their homes, they don't call them pets, but rather companion animals.  The difference is other animal caretakers presume ownership over the animal.  

Hope this helps.  

Answer 9

Your understanding of vegan is correct. However, it does seem to me that a lot of vegans and vegetarians use the term to also indicate ethical motivations for the dietary choices.

Answer 10

It is a general term.  A vegan is a person who does not eat or use any animal products for whatever reason.  The philosophy behind the decision does not matter.

Answer 11

You are absolutely correct here. Veganism is a practice and ethical philosophy, placing compassion at the heart of what you do. Not eating animals is a part of this philosophy, but not the only part. Just eating non animal products doesn't make you vegan, anymore than eating kosher foods makes someone Jewish.

There is a word now in the dictionary, vegitan, for somebody who just eats no animal products. Veganism is definitely more than that.

Answer 12

it is a general term. you had it right the first time.  

Answer 13

Yes.  If you only do the diet part, you are strict vegetarian.  The word vegan implies the whole ethical lifestyle part.

Answer 14

No, a vegan is a vegan whether they choose the diet for ethical reasons or not.

Answer 15

I feel like the term implies a concern for animals and also implies that it extends beyond diet to lifestyle.  For example, a vegan doesn't wear leather, wool or silk and avoids consumer products that contain animal ingredients or are tested on animals.

I've heard the term "dietary vegan" and I've heard people say they "eat a vegan diet," neither of which I think carries the same connotation.

If someone is avoiding animal products altogether and calls themselves a vegan, I'm sure not going to quiz them on their motivation before I accept their use of the word, though.

Answer 16

Its not just eating animal products, its also not using anything with an animal product in it or made of animal parts.

Answer 17

I don't like labels, but yes, if you don't eat animal products(nor use leather, wool clothes etc), you can be considered a vegan.

Anyway most vegans avoid meat and dairy products for ethical or religious reasons.