Raw Veganism

The Philosophy of the Human Diet (Routledge Studies in Food, Society and the Environment)

By: Carlo Alvaro

Narrated by: John Chancer

Human beings are getting fatter and sicker. As we question what we eat and why we eat it, this book argues that living well involves consuming a raw vegan diet. With eating healthfully and eating ethically being simpler said than done, this book argues that the best solution to health, environmental, and ethical problems concerning animals is raw veganism—the human diet.

The human diet is what humans are naturally designed to eat, and that is a raw vegan diet of fruit, tender leafy greens, and occasionally nuts and seeds. While veganism raises challenging questions over the ethics of consuming animal products, while also considering the environmental impact of the agriculture industry, raw veganism goes a step further and argues that consuming cooked food is also detrimental to our health and the environment. Cooking foods allows us to eat food that is not otherwise fit for human consumption and in an age that promotes eating foods in "moderation" and having "balanced" diets, this raises the question of why we are eating foods that should only be consumed in moderation at all, as moderation clearly implies they aren’t good for us. In addition, from an environmental perspective, the use of stoves, ovens and microwaves for cooking contributes significantly to energy consumption and cooking in general generates excessive waste of food and resources. Thus, this book maintains that living well and living a noble life, that is, good physical and moral health, requires consuming a raw vegan diet.

Exploring the scientific and philosophical aspects of raw veganism, this novel book is essential listening for all interested in promoting ethical, healthful, and sustainable diets.

©2020 Taylor & Francis (P)2020 Routledge

Critic reviews

"Carlo Alvaro’s thought-provoking book argues for veganism that centres on other animals. Focusing on the human diet as a form of raw veganism, Alvaro reflects on ethical motivations for veganism and offers thoughts on what remains to be done as we consider our relationships with other animals and the environment. It is important reading for us all. The book will enrich debates about how ethical veganism, rather than its more commodified form, contributes to ways in which we can live well while not oppressing other animals and the environment."—Kay Peggs, Kingston University, UK

"Alvaro challenges many human diets, including mine: stop cooking! The principal reason is evolutionary: we are adapted to thrive on raw vegan diets. His thesis, which supports a qualified ban on the consumption of animal products, merits serious consideration from those interested in human nutrition, ecological sustainability, and moral philosophy."—Jan Deckers, Newcastle University, UK

"In Raw Veganism, moral philosopher Carlo Alvaro introduces readers to what he calls "the human diet", practiced in the context of a virtuous life that embraces moderation and eschews violence. By countering many of the philosophical arguments traditionally made to support a vegetarian or vegan existence, critiquing the creation of synthetic meats, and considering the limitations of traditional veganism, Alvaro makes a solid case for the ethical and health supportive practice of raw veganism as the most sustainable counter to contemporary health and environmental challenges."—Laura Wright, Western Carolina University, USA