Is Shellfish Vegan?

[ForeverFaithful]

Obviously Shellfish (shrimp, lobster, oysters) are animals.

But do I as a Vegan have a moral obligation to abstain from them just because of that?

Do they feel pain? Are they good for you? Are they good for the environment?

Based on the 3 pillars of Veganism (Compassion for Animals, Health and Environmentalism) is their a reasonable objection to eating shellfish?

 

[mycorrhiza]

They can probably feel pain (the science isn't totally clear on that yet, though, but the current evidence seems to points towards it) and they fill a function in the eco system. Shellfish are certainly not vegan.

Even if they didn't fill a function and didn't feel pain, it would be against veganism to eat them.

 

[ForeverFaithful]

They can probably feel pain (the science isn't totally clear on that yet, though, but the current evidence seems to points towards it) and they fill a function in the eco system. Shellfish are certainly not vegan.

Even if they didn't fill a function and didn't feel pain, it would be against veganism to eat them.

Then I shall continue in abstinence

 

[mycorrhiza]

Then I shall continue in abstinence

Great

 

[Madhuri]

For me, I'd stay away from eating them on the off chance that they do feel pain. After all, it was only a few years ago that scientists finally realised that fish feel pain.

But that's just me.

 

[Skwim]

Crustaceans (lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, etc.) do feel pain.

 

[Valjean]

Obviously not vegan. What would make you think they might not be animals?

 

[ForeverFaithful]

Obviously not vegan. What would make you think they might not be animals?

That was not the question, reread the OP

 

[Valjean]

Ah, I see where you're coming from.
These three pillars is an interesting concept, but it seems to me more relevant to vegetarianism than veganism.

Veganism is a sort of religious vegetarianism, a symbolic harmlessness based on idealistic purity rather than actual suffering. Vegans eschew animal products even when they're clearly divorced from pain, suffering or environmental impact.

Labels aside, I think the crux of the matter is what the basis of your feelings of moral obligation is.

 

[Wirey]

Personally, I avoid shellfish, but not for moral reasons. I used to work on a lobster boat, and I've had enough shellfish for one lifetime.

 

[ratikala]

Obviously Shellfish (shrimp, lobster, oysters) are animals.

But do I as a Vegan have a moral obligation to abstain from them just because of that?

Do they feel pain? Are they good for you? Are they good for the environment?

Based on the 3 pillars of Veganism (Compassion for Animals, Health and Environmentalism) is their a reasonable objection to eating shellfish?

dear forever faithfull ,

ammusingly being that I an vegan , Ive never heard of the three pillars of veganism ,
but sounds like a good synposis to me .

Do they feel pain?

even if it is not proven It is better we assume that they do ,


Are they good for you?

there are other foods which dont take animal life that are allso good for you , and many crustations feed on debris and might posibly be quite toxic .


Are they good for the environment?

yes , they perform a function , and that function is a part of the cycle of life , upset that and the enviroment is un ballanced therefore potentialy dammaged .


is their a reasonable objection to eating shellfish?

concidering the three above ? id say yes !

 

[ForeverFaithful]

Ah, I see where you're coming from.
These three pillars is an interesting concept, but it seems to me more relevant to vegetarianism than veganism.

Veganism is a sort of religious vegetarianism, a symbolic harmlessness based on idealistic purity rather than actual suffering. Vegans eschew animal products even when they're clearly divorced from pain, suffering or environmental impact.

Labels aside, I think the crux of the matter is what the basis of your feelings of moral obligation is.

Veganism is not some religious purtianism, it's the logical conclusion of considering the suffering of animals

The dairy and egg industry cause much suffering to their livestock and are linked to the meat industry indefinately, especially the veal industry

 

[ForeverFaithful]

dear forever faithfull ,

ammusingly being that I an vegan , Ive never heard of the three pillars of veganism ,
but sounds like a good synposis to me .

Do they feel pain?

even if it is not proven It is better we assume that they do ,


Are they good for you?

there are other foods which dont take animal life that are allso good for you , and many crustations feed on debris and might posibly be quite toxic .


Are they good for the environment?

yes , they perform a function , and that function is a part of the cycle of life , upset that and the enviroment is un ballanced therefore potentialy dammaged .


is their a reasonable objection to eating shellfish?

concidering the three above ? id say yes !

To be honest I'd never heard any big time Vegan mention them, but back when I was in my Vegan circle it was always those 3 reasons we gave we ask "Why Vegan?"