Communication for Empathy: Understanding Ethical Vegetarianism

This presentation explores the empathy gaps in beliefs and lifestyles between individuals from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, with a focus on ethical vegetarianism. It discusses the sources behind these gaps, attempts to understand different perspectives, and promotes acceptance of previously incompatible points of view.

COMMUNICATION FOR
EMPATHY Name of student

INTRODUCTION
The topic intends to identify the empathy gaps in beliefs and
lifestyles between two individuals belonging from culturally and
ethnically different backgrounds. The selected POF, Aria is an
ethical vegetarian and her eating habits demonstrate significant
empathy gaps (Frell et al.2015) from mine. My purpose is to:
 identify the sources behind this personally significant empathy
gap
 attempt to understand her perspectives for following the
particular diet
 revisit my own thought process and extend my horizons to accept
and sympathize with different, previously incompatible point of
views.

THE PERSON OF FOCUS AND
MY TAKE ON THE SUBJECT
Aria, my roommate has been staying with me for the past five
months. She is an ethical vegetarian and propagates veganism as a
sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
 Her choice is more oriented in value and lifestyle than in health
and diet.
 My opinions regarding vegetarians were biased since I thought
them to be moral polices whose sole purpose is virtue-signaling.
 Food for me is more of an indulgence than a necessity and I was
made to believe that a vegetarian course cannot be as delicious as
meat platters.
It was my assumption that vegetarians are malnourished since
sufficient protein cannot be derived from vegetables.

RENEWED PERSPECTIVES
 Following lengthy conversation with Aria on the topic, I am beginning to see things in
different light.
 Aria made me watch some documentaries (Cowspiracy and Glass Walls) that revealed the
atrocities of slaughterhouses and explained logically how consumption of animal products
 I have a deeper insight into the ecological balance of the planet and how excessive meat
consumption can disrupt it.
 Adhering to the concept of theory of mind (Harms et al, 2013), I have broadened my
perspectives.
 It is clearly evident through Aria’s sound health that a vegetarian diet cannot enfeeble
me.
 Ethical vegetarians are not religious extremists or moral signalers, but are human beings
with more sensitivity towards species that don’t have a voice and are placed in an
underprivileged ecological order.
 I am planning to reduce the frequency of my meat and dairy consumption and include
healthier and cheaper vegetarian alternatives.

REFERENCES:
Williams, L.T., Germov, J., Fuller, S. and Freij, M., 2015. A taste of ethical
consumption at a slow food festival. Appetite, 91, pp.321-328.
Hoffman, S.R., Stallings, S.F., Bessinger, R.C. and Brooks, G.T., 2013. Differences
between health and ethical vegetarians. Strength of conviction, nutrition knowledge,
dietary restriction, and duration of adherence. Appetite, 65, pp.139-144.
Radnitz, C., Beezhold, B. and DiMatteo, J., 2015. Investigation of lifestyle choices of
individuals following a vegan diet for health and ethical reasons. Appetite, 90, pp.31-
36.
Carlson, S.M., Koenig, M.A. and Harms, M.B., 2013. Theory of mind. Wiley
Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 4(4), pp.391-402.
Springmann, M., Godfray, H.C.J., Rayner, M. and Scarborough, P., 2016. Analysis
and valuation of the health and climate change cobenefits of dietary
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