Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism

As a dietitian involved in vegan education, I found this book absolutely fascinating. It's written for meat eaters and explores the ways in which "carnists" avoid the moral discomfort inherent in viewing some animals as pets and others as food. Carnists embrace what Joy calls the three Ns of justification: Eating meat is normal, natural, and necessary --the very same justifications that have been used to defend every exploitative system in history, including African slavery and efforts to deny voting rights to women.Until now, carnism as a belief system has not been named because it is the norm in our society. It's mainstream--which is simply a way of describing an ideology that is so widespread and entrenched that its practices are regarded as "common sense." Ideologies that fall outside the mainstream--like vegetarianism--on the other hand, are easier to recognize.More importantly, though, the way in which entrenched ideologies remain entrenched is by staying invisible. And the primary way in which they stay invisible is by staying unnamed. "If we don't name it, we can't talk about it," Joy says. "and if we can't talk about it, we can't question it."Carnism depends on another type of invisibility as well. The agricultural industry goes to great lengths to protect the secrets of how animals are raised for food on modern factory "farms." The system is necessarily cruel because, from a business standpoint, animal welfare is a barrier to profit. Producers don't want consumers to see these cruelties, nor do consumers want to see them.Joy identifies the cognitive defenses that carnists employ, and suggests that, because empathy appears to be hardwired in our brains, carnistic defenses may actually go against our nature. We cannot be wholly integrated if we care about animals but support widespread animal cruelty. Joy is honest about the difficulties involved in closing the gap between values and behavior, but she is encouraging about the benefits to the individual, and practical in her recommendations.Based on research in the field of psychology, including Joy's own, this book is a thought-provoking analysis of how meat eating has become so entrenched as to over-ride what people actually believe and hold valuable. Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows is highly recommended for both vegetarians and carnists and for anyone interested in the psychology of food choices.

I am, I think, converting into a vegan person. Reading this book has helped tremendously. There are many things I never even considered, that now I am. Like, the items we use every day--like my shoes, my belts, my work gloves, some of my jackets, etc, all made with animal leather.Funny and interesting--and confusing too, the fact that we freely think is ok to love dogs and cats but, we still have no problems eating many other animals. I guess, seeing what it is we are really doing helps, not just going to the store and getting a steak without thinking that that steak, is or was part of a living animal. And many other aspects of meat consumption I never took the time to ask why.Many reasons to stop meat consumption and dairy products, my own, and I think a valid one, is because of our health and the health of our planet. Good to see our younger generation working towards a better world, for all of us.Strongly recommend this book to anyone, not just people considering a vegan diet.

This book is a present for a friend of mine. A think, if I want to find the most important means to quality life attitude is the root. I would like to share this opportunity to her as well.

I had already changed to a vegetarian diet prior to reading this book so it was "preaching to the choir" in some regard. I thought it was very well written and hit all the necessary points. The author is strongest when playing to her knowledge base. When she is discussing scientific or psychological studies, the book is very compelling. When she lapses into anti-meat diatribe it undermines the strength of the book to me. I was raised in an environment that values reason over emotion so it is possible that these points in the narrative may not bother someone else as much as they did me. I was reminded of my reaction to Richard Dawkins who is a great scientist and writer but the stridency of his anti-religiousity can become exhausting, even for a reader who agrees with him. It is because of this that I give the book only four stars.

Everything that is written including author story and the points which forever u to think why we differentiate among animals why ?

A talk by Melanie Joy changed my view 5 years ago! Now i've been vegetarian for 4 years and on the way of full vegan. The book is a brilliant help of understanding carnism. Enjoy!

Joy presents facts in a very non agressive way that makes you look at your "normal" every day life from a different point of view. It tickles your gray brain cells and gently forces you to open your eyes. A real refreshment from all the other "anger filled" vegan promotion. I'm happy I bought it.

This is a Christmas gift to my omni best friend and for what I paid, it shouldn't be torn. Especially when it states that it's brand new

I am forever changed after reading this book! This is easily the most important book I have read so far and EVERYONE should know the contents of its pages. Brilliantly thought out and put together book by Melanie, of who I'd like to thank for giving the world the name "carnism." I couldn't put this down even though at times I wanted desperately to stop reading as it was just so heartbreaking. It takes courage to accept the truth and strength to keep living knowing the practices of factory farms and abetoirs. I thought I knew, but now I REALLY know. As a vegan and ex vegetarian I am the converted. As hard as this book is to read, it's nessaary to understand, because we can ALL make a difference in this world and choose kindness, we just need to wake up and truely SEE the world as it really is. Thank you Melanie, this must have been tough research.