Should a Stoic be a Vegan?
Episode #361
It’s a compelling question—one I’ve spent years thinking through, not only as someone who once followed a strict vegan diet, but as someone who continually aims to live according to Stoic principles. The deeper I explore Stoicism, the more I realize this philosophy doesn’t often provide simple yes-or-no answers. Rather, it offers a rational, values-based framework to navigate complex ethical dilemmas—including the one around eating animals.
Let’s explore.
Stoicism and the Ethics of Eating
First, it’s important to understand that Stoicism, unlike many modern ethical systems or dietary ideologies, doesn’t issue blanket moral rules like “never eat meat.” Stoicism is a virtue ethics framework, focused on the pursuit of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. These cardinal virtues serve as guides for decision-making—not rigid commandments.
In practice, that means Stoicism asks why you do what you do. Are your actions rooted in rationality? Are they aligned with your duties as a social and rational being? Are they contributing to the greater good—or at least, avoiding unnecessary harm?
When it comes to animals, Stoics viewed themselves as part of the cosmopolis—the universal city—which includes not just humans, but all rational beings and, more broadly, all of nature. Though ancient Stoics may not have called it a “prefrontal cortex,” they did recognize that humans had a rational faculty that other creatures lacked. But that rationality didn’t make us better—just different. It gave us a unique responsibility: to act in harmony with nature and use our reason to reduce unnecessary suffering, where possible.
The Role of Context in Stoic Ethics
Now, it’s true that being vegan in the ancient world would’ve been extremely difficult, if not impossible. Food systems were limited. Nutritional knowledge was primitive. The idea of globally sourcing B12 or supplementing omega-3s wasn’t even a dream yet.
And Stoicism, importantly, is always sensitive to context. The same action may be virtuous in one setting and foolish in another. It depends on your role, your environment, your relationships, and your resources.
Fast-forward to today: we live in a world where it’s possible—even easy in many places—to thrive on a plant-based diet. I myself was a strict vegan for three years. My performance in the gym never dropped. I felt great. But eventually, my career demanded frequent travel to remote places, including tugboats where I work with crews and clients. Refusing meals became a social barrier. It interfered with relationships, camaraderie, and hospitality—things I consider essential to my role and my virtue as a social being.
So I adjusted. I still eat mostly plant-based. I still care about animal suffering. But I’ll occasionally eat meat in certain social contexts—not because I abandoned my ethics, but because my ethics include being pro-social and meeting people where they are.
Is Veganism Stoic? Is It Required?
Veganism is an ideology. Stoicism is a philosophy. Sometimes the two align—sometimes they don’t. But Stoicism will always ask us to use reason. If you can reduce unnecessary animal suffering without undermining your duties, your health, or your role in society—then yes, choosing not to eat meat could very well be the Stoic path.
But if the choice to abstain from animal products leads you to become disconnected, antisocial, or unable to fulfill your duties—then perhaps a more moderate path is appropriate.
The Stoic doesn’t chase purity. The Stoic cultivates virtue in context.
A Timeline of Moral Progress
Let’s zoom out.
10,000 years ago, meat was a matter of survival. Being vegan would’ve meant death. There was no ethical conflict in hunting—it was necessary.
2,000 years ago, some Stoics, like Musonius Rufus, were known to promote vegetarianism. Food systems had advanced. Ethics evolved alongside them.
Today, in many modern cities, plant-based eating is easier than ever. In that context, abstaining from meat might very well be the more virtuous act. Not because eating meat is inherently wrong—but because it’s increasingly unnecessary.
Now imagine a future 1,000 years from now: synthetic meat is indistinguishable from traditional meat, and animal agriculture has become obsolete. In that world, choosing to kill for food might be deeply unethical—not because the rules changed, but because the context did.
Stoicism evolves with the cosmos.
The Bottom Line
Should a Stoic be vegan?
It depends.
Stoicism isn’t about rigid dietary labels. It’s about using reason to align your actions with virtue, reduce unnecessary suffering, and fulfill your social role with integrity. Sometimes that means eating plants. Sometimes that means sharing a meal that includes meat—if doing so strengthens human bonds and doesn’t conflict with your core values.
The Stoic question isn’t “Is this vegan?” It’s: “Is this just? Is this wise? Is this necessary?”
Your answer might change—because Stoicism isn’t a destination. It’s a path.
Yes.