Although the term veganism was only coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, evidence of people choosing to avoid animal products can be traced back over 2,000 years. As early as 500 BCE, Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species and followed what could be described as a vegetarian diet.
It's worth noting that some may argue that the vegetarianism of historical figures has little relevance to contemporary discussions about dietary choices. Others may point out that there were likely many influential figures who were not vegetarian, and their contributions should not be discounted. However, it's still interesting to explore the dietary choices of historical figures, particularly those who are widely regarded as some of the greatest minds of all time.
Albert Einstein
For example, Albert Einstein, widely regarded as one of the most brilliant thinkers of all time, was a vegetarian. He said, "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." He also believed that "our task must be to [widen] our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." The day he became a vegetarian, he wrote in his diary, "So I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but am feeling quite well this way. It always seems to me that man was not born to be a carnivore."
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, another widely recognized polymath, has been described as a vegetarian. Although the quote, "I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men," is frequently attributed to him, its authenticity is debated. However, other examples indicate his vegetarianism. For instance, Eugene Muntz wrote in his 1898 book, Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Thinker, and Man of Science, that "It appears from Corsali's letter [Andrea Corsali's letter to Giuliano de' Medici] that Leonardo ate no meat, but lived entirely on vegetables, thus forestalling modern vegetarians by several centuries." Edward MacCurdy also wrote in his 1928 book, The Mind of Leonardo da Vinci, that "The mere idea of permitting the existence of unnecessary suffering, still more that of taking life, was abhorrent to [Da Vinci]." According to MacCurdy, Vasari tells a story of how Da Vinci would frequently buy caged birds in Florence and set them free, showing his love for animals.
Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton, widely known as “the father of physics,” is credited for formulating the laws of motion and is regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. It is said that he praised a vegetable diet and had a deep compassion for animals. In his book Vegetable Diet: As Sanctioned by Medical Men and by Experience in All Ages (1869), Dr. William A. Alcott writes the following about Newton: "This distinguished philosopher and mathematician is said to have abstained rigorously, at times, from all but purely vegetable food, and from all drinks but water. It is also stated that some of his important labors were performed during these periods of strict temperance. While writing his treatise on Optics, it is said he confined himself entirely to bread, with a little sack and water. I have no doubt that his remarkable equanimity of temper and his self-control over his animal appetites, for which he was so distinguished to the last hour of his life, were owing, in no small degree, to his habits of rigid temperance" (p. 191). Newton once stated, "Abstention from cruelty to animals as a moral command is almost on par with love thy neighbour."
Tesla
Nikola Tesla was a genius far ahead of his time. His numerous inventions, including the AC (alternating current) electrical system, paved the way for modern civilization. When Einstein was once asked how it felt to be the smartest man alive, he replied, "I don't know, you'll have to ask Nikola Tesla." Regarding the benefits of vegetarianism, Tesla wrote: "On general principles, the raising of cattle as a means of providing food is objectionable. It is certainly preferable to raise vegetables, and I think, therefore, that vegetarianism is a commendable departure from the established barbarian habit. It is a well-demonstrated fact that we can subsist on plant food and perform our work even to advantage. Many races living almost exclusively on vegetables are of superior physique and strength. There is no doubt that some plant food, such as oatmeal, is more economical than meat and superior to it in regard to both mechanical and mental performance. Such food also taxes our digestive organs decidedly less and, in making us more contented and sociable, produces an amount of good difficult to estimate. In view of these facts, every effort should be made to stop the wanton, cruel slaughter of animals, which must be destructive to our morals."
Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison is widely regarded as one of the greatest inventors in history, credited with inventing the electric light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera, among many other innovations that shaped modern civilization. But in addition to his numerous scientific achievements, Edison was also a proponent of vegetarianism and animal rights.
In fact, Edison believed that vegetarianism had a powerful influence not only on one's physical health but also on the mind and its actions. He once wrote, "[Vegetarianism has a] powerful influence upon the mind and its action, as well as upon the health and vigor of the body." Edison saw the consumption of animal products as a primitive and savage practice, and he believed that it was crucial for human beings to stop harming other living beings.
Edison's advocacy for vegetarianism and animal rights was not just a personal belief; he also used his influence to spread the message to the public. In 1913, he wrote an article for the New York Times titled "The Cruelty of Beefsteak," in which he criticized the meat industry for its inhumane treatment of animals. He argued that the practice of slaughtering animals for food was not only cruel but also unnecessary, as plant-based diets could provide all the necessary nutrients for human health and well-being.
Edison's views on vegetarianism were not limited to the physical and moral benefits of a plant-based diet. He also believed that it was essential to reduce the environmental impact of meat production. In an interview with the New York Evening Sun in 1913, Edison argued that raising animals for food was wasteful and inefficient, as it required large amounts of land, water, and feed to produce a small amount of meat. He believed that the world would be better off if more people adopted vegetarian diets and reduced their reliance on animal products.
Pythagoras
Pythagoras As early as 500 BCE, Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species and followed what could be described as a vegetarian diet. He is widely acknowledged as being the first universal genius.
"Human beings, stop desecrating your bodies with impious foodstuffs. There are crops; there are apples weighing down the branches; and ripening grapes on the vines; there are flavorsome herbs; and those that can be rendered mild and gentle over the flames; and you do not lack flowing milk; or honey fragrant from the flowering thyme. The earth, prodigal of its wealth, supplies you with gentle sustenance and offers you food without killing or shedding blood." - Pythagoras
To be a Pythagorean in ancient times was considered to be vegetarian.
Plato
Plato was a student of Pythagoras and ardently spoke about vegetarianism. Socrates, a student of Plato, was a vegetarian who taught that virtue was based on knowledge. He speaks passionately for a world without the consumption of meat in 'Plato's Republic'...
Excerpt from Plato's Republic:
"Socrates: Would this habit of eating animals not require that we slaughter animals that we knew as individuals, and in whose eyes we could gaze and see ourselves reflected, only a few hours before our meal?
Glaucon: This habit would require that of us.
Socrates: Wouldn't this [knowledge of our role in turning a being into a thing] hinder us in achieving happiness?
Glaucon: It could so hinder us in our quest for happiness. Socrates: If we pursue our habit of eating animals, and if our neighbor follows a similar path, will we not have need to go to war against our neighbor to secure greater pasturage, because ours will not be enough to sustain us, and our neighbor will have a similar need to wage war on us for the same reason?
Glaucon: We would be so compelled. Socrates: Would not these facts prevent us from achieving happiness and therefore the conditions necessary to the building of a just society, if we pursue a desire to eat animals?
Glaucon: Yes, they would so prevent us."
All the great students of Pythagoras (Plato, Socrates, and Leo Tolstoy) were vegetarians for reasons that were not merely physical but metaphysical. This idea is inherent within the philosophies of Platonism. "In truth, without humanity, a virtue which comprehends all virtues, the name of philosopher would be little deserved."
Sir Francis Bacon
Sir Francis Bacon Credited for the Scientific Method.
Sir Francis Bacon, the English philosopher and statesman, is credited with developing the scientific method, which has become the foundation for modern scientific inquiry. However, what is less commonly known is that Bacon was a vegetarian and held strong beliefs about the ethical treatment of animals. In his book, "The New Atlantis," Bacon envisioned a utopian society where animals were treated with kindness and respect.
Interestingly, there is a mysterious Rosicrucian philosopher, who was a friend and teacher of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, that appeared in America prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This philosopher was known to be a strict vegetarian who only consumed foods that grew above the ground. Many believe that this individual played an important role in the founding of the new republic, but for some reason, most historians failed to mention him.
Bacon's commitment to vegetarianism and the humane treatment of animals is evident in his writings, and he was ahead of his time in recognizing the importance of animal welfare. He believed that humans had a responsibility to treat animals with the same respect and compassion that they would want to be treated with themselves. His views on animal rights may have been shaped by his broader philosophical and ethical beliefs, which emphasized the importance of reason and morality in guiding human behavior.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a renowned polymath, was known for his advocacy of vegetarianism. He once wrote, "My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity. But, with this lighter repast, I made the greater progress, for greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension." Franklin believed that a vegetarian diet was not only healthier for the individual, but also better for the environment.
Plutarch
Plutarch, the ancient Greek philosopher and historian, was also a vegetarian. In his essay "On Eating Flesh," he argued that humans were not meant to consume the flesh of other animals, and that it was unnatural and harmful to do so. Plutarch believed that a vegetarian diet was necessary for spiritual purity and moral superiority.
Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh, the famous Dutch painter, was another notable vegetarian. Van Gogh's vegetarianism was rooted in his deep compassion for all living creatures. In a letter to his brother, he wrote, "My own health demands that I should eat meat, but I feel so strongly that meat-eating is wrong that I cannot bring myself to do it." Van Gogh's vegetarianism was a reflection of his artistic vision, which celebrated the beauty and sacredness of all life.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain, the American author and humorist, was also a vegetarian. Twain believed that a vegetarian diet was not only healthier, but also more ethical. He once wrote, "It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions. If a man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat." Twain's vegetarianism was a reflection of his wit and wisdom, and his commitment to the well-being of all creatures great and small.
These notable geniuses were not only successful in their respective fields, but also in their advocacy for a vegetarian lifestyle. Their legacy continues to inspire people around the world to consider the ethical implications of their food choices and to make choices that promote health and compassion for all living beings.