Eating and veganism in Donna Haraway: perspectives on animal consumption in cyborg feminism

Abstract

Based on the studies of Donna Haraway, the aim of this text is to present the dialogues present in the “productive tensions” between her work and activism for animal rights, veganism and vegetarianism. Based on discussions related to the history of food and relationships between humans and non-humans, this text summarizes Haraway's criticisms of humanism and human rights, as well as her manifestos for ethical relationships in food and interspecies coexistence. To do so, resort to several Harawayan writings, especially his considerations present in When the Species Meet (2008), in addition to other authors who address the relationship between food, animal consumption, veganism, feminism, human rights and interspecies perspectives. It will be observed that Haraway's position is suspicious of the capacity of veganism (specifically its abolitionist/radical aspect) to escape interspecies violence and humanist imposition, although she perceives the importance of vegan criticism and activism (such as ethical positions) for the denaturalization of cruelty and consumption practices of other species.