If we want to improve the treatment of animals, Dominique Lestel argues, we must acknowledge our evolutionary impulse to eat them and we must expand our worldview to see how others consume meat ethically and sustainably. The position of vegans and vegetarians is unrealistic and exclusionary. Eat This Book calls at once for a renewed and vigorous defense of animal rights and a more open approach to meat eating that turns us into responsible carnivores.
Lestel skillfully synthesizes Western philosophical views on the moral status of animals and holistic cosmologies that recognize human-animal reciprocity. He shows that the carnivore’s position is more coherently ethical than vegetarianism, which isolates humans from the world by treating cruelty, violence, and conflicting interests as phenomena outside of life. Describing how meat eaters assume completelywhich is to say, metabolicallytheir animal status, Lestel opens our eyes to the vital relation between carnivores and animals and carnivores’ genuine appreciation of animals’ life-sustaining flesh. He vehemently condemns factory farming and the terrible footprint of industrial meat eating. His goal is to recreate a kinship between humans and animals that reminds us of what it means to be tied to the world.
"Eat This Book: A Carnivore's Manifesto" by Dominique Lestel is a provocative and intellectually stimulating exploration of the ethics of meat-eating, challenging conventional views within the animal rights movement and offering a radical perspective on our relationship with the animal kingdom. This thought-provoking work, part of the "Critical Perspectives on Animals: Theory, Culture, Science, and Law" series, dares to question the seemingly unassailable moral high ground of veganism and vegetarianism, proposing instead a path towards responsible and ethically grounded carnivorism. Lestel doesn't shy away from the complexities of the issue. He acknowledges the inherent evolutionary impulse to consume animals, a drive deeply woven into the fabric of human history and culture. Rather than advocating for its suppression, he argues for a re-evaluation of how we engage with this impulse, urging readers to move beyond simplistic notions of right and wrong and embrace a more nuanced understanding of the human-animal dynamic. The book skillfully weaves together philosophical inquiry, scientific understanding, and cultural observations. Lestel draws upon Western philosophical traditions concerning animal rights and moral status, while also incorporating holistic cosmologies that emphasize reciprocity and interconnectedness between humans and animals. This synthesis allows him to construct a compelling argument that the carnivore's position can be more ethically consistent than vegetarianism, particularly when considering the inherent violence and conflicting interests that exist within the natural world. He contends that vegetarianism can create a sense of separation from this reality, isolating humans from the very processes that sustain life. A key element of Lestel's argument lies in the concept of metabolic integration. He suggests that meat-eaters, through the act of consumption, fully embrace their animal status, acknowledging their dependence on other living beings for sustenance. This "metabolic embrace," as it could be termed, fosters a deeper appreciation for the lives of animals and the vital role they play in the ecosystem. "Eat This Book" is not an endorsement of the status quo of industrial meat production. Lestel is vehemently critical of factory farming and the devastating environmental impact it inflicts. He condemns the cruelty and inhumane conditions prevalent in these systems, advocating for a fundamental shift in how we raise and consume animals. His vision is one of re-establishing a kinship between humans and animals, a relationship grounded in respect, awareness, and a deep understanding of our shared existence. He envisions a future where carnivores are not simply consumers, but active participants in creating a more ethical and sustainable food system. Lestel's book goes beyond a simple defense of meat-eating; it is a call to action. He challenges readers to become "responsible carnivores" who actively engage in promoting animal welfare, supporting sustainable farming practices, and reducing their environmental footprint. It's a book that encourages critical thinking, prompting readers to examine their own beliefs and assumptions about food, ethics, and our place in the natural world. "Eat This Book" is essential reading for anyone interested in animal rights, environmental ethics, and the future of food. It's a book that will challenge your preconceptions and leave you with a profound sense of the complexities of our relationship with the animal kingdom. Dominique Lestel, a renowned philosopher and ethologist, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this controversial yet vital topic. His deep understanding of animal behavior, combined with his philosophical insights, makes him uniquely qualified to tackle these complex issues. This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, prompting you to reconsider your own role in the food chain and the ethical implications of your choices.
