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Can Stoics Eat Meat?
In this episode I dig into the Stoic approach to diet and the perennial “should Stoics eat meat?” question. I lay out what “living in accordance with Nature” really means (Logos, not tree-hugging shorthand), why eating animals isn’t inherently un-Stoic, and where our reasoning can go vicious—especially with industrialized, commodified animal agriculture. I also talk through practical ways contemporary Stoics can eat more justly without pretending to be sages or purists.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— “According to Nature” = aligning choices with the Logos (the rational order of the cosmos), not suppressing feelings or chasing outcomes.
— Eating meat is a Stoic indifferent; what matters is the reasoning and method behind it. Killing as part of a balanced, natural cycle can be compatible with virtue; factory-style exploitation is not.
— Outcome-chasing (“ends justify the means”) isn’t Stoic. We judge the justice of our choices, not their hoped-for results.
— A sage-like pattern would be seasonal, mostly plant-forward eating, with animal products used thoughtfully and sparingly, sourced in ways that allow other beings to flourish.
— Practical steps: favor small/ethical producers, reduce single-use indulgence, buy what you need, recycle/compost, and treat dining-out choices with awareness (while accepting we won’t be perfect).
— The real Stoic question isn’t “meat or no meat?” but “Is how this food was produced—and why I’m choosing it—truly in accordance with Nature?”
To learn more about Tanner, please visit
https://tannerocampbell.com
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By Evergreen Podcasts
4.8
633633 ratings
In this episode I dig into the Stoic approach to diet and the perennial “should Stoics eat meat?” question. I lay out what “living in accordance with Nature” really means (Logos, not tree-hugging shorthand), why eating animals isn’t inherently un-Stoic, and where our reasoning can go vicious—especially with industrialized, commodified animal agriculture. I also talk through practical ways contemporary Stoics can eat more justly without pretending to be sages or purists.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
— “According to Nature” = aligning choices with the Logos (the rational order of the cosmos), not suppressing feelings or chasing outcomes.
— Eating meat is a Stoic indifferent; what matters is the reasoning and method behind it. Killing as part of a balanced, natural cycle can be compatible with virtue; factory-style exploitation is not.
— Outcome-chasing (“ends justify the means”) isn’t Stoic. We judge the justice of our choices, not their hoped-for results.
— A sage-like pattern would be seasonal, mostly plant-forward eating, with animal products used thoughtfully and sparingly, sourced in ways that allow other beings to flourish.
— Practical steps: favor small/ethical producers, reduce single-use indulgence, buy what you need, recycle/compost, and treat dining-out choices with awareness (while accepting we won’t be perfect).
— The real Stoic question isn’t “meat or no meat?” but “Is how this food was produced—and why I’m choosing it—truly in accordance with Nature?”
To learn more about Tanner, please visit
https://tannerocampbell.com
For an ad-free version of this podcast please visit https://stoicismpod.com/members
For links to other valuable Stoic things, please visit https://links.stoicismpod.com
If you'd like to provide feedback on this episode, or have question, you may do so as a member. Email sent by non-members will not be answered (though they may be read). This isn't punitive, I just cannot keep up. Limiting access to members reduces my workload. You're always invited to leave a comment on Spotify, member or not.
Thanks for listening and have a great day!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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