Eating Animals was a very interesting piece of literature, and definitely the most compelling evidence I have seen so far to advocate a vegetarian or vegan diet. Jonathan Safran Foer records his findings as he struggled to come to terms with “eating animals” and make the correct decision for his child. Foer, like myself, had long been a half-hearted vegetarian, recognizing the unpleasant realities of meat but also following the deep cultural and social ideas created by the “eating animals” that humans are. The dichotomies between these two readings of the title form the core of the work, making for a very persuasive argument. As Foer studied the problems of meat, appealing to both the rational and the emotional, and speaking to people from diverse backgrounds, his conclusions make for a gripping narrative. By including the views of others tackling the same problems and coming to different conclusions than himself, from poultry farmers of various philosophies to PETA representatives, he shows compassion to all involved. Exploring all sides, from the Pollan-esque “animal welfare” advocates who champion a return to older methods of agriculture to continue to tradition of eating meat without the degradation of factories to those who follow “animal rights,” who wish to avoid all cruelty to other animals, Foer comes to a very informed decision, one that I too find very logical.

This is exemplified in the brilliant analysis of that most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, during which the majority of tables include turkey, among the most cruelly exploited of all livestock, due to host of social reasons. Forming new traditions, free from the. While, in an academic sense, it may not be unethical to eat other animals as part of an ecosystem including carnivores and omnivores, the unspeakable horror of the current system which supplies virtually all meat and the terrible ecological damage that follows this, for me the answer is to avoid meat. As Foer illustrates, the fact that humans have the ability to consciously decide what to eat and what not to eat puts us in a unique position to alter the planet, as well as one’s own health. In any case, “Eating Animals” illustrates the complex nature of the problem and exemplifies responses to a host of the cultural thoughts of eating animals and I would recommend it to any one interested in the subject.