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Theophrastus - Ancient Vegetarian Philosopher

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  Theophrastus 'Father of Botany' Few people know about the ancient philosopher Theophrastus. Theophrastus was a vegetarian. He lived in ancient Greece. Best known for his work with plants, he is better known as the first plant botanist, or the 'Father of Botany'. His book 'Enquiry into Plants', along with Aristotle's book 'History of Animals, is considered one of the most important books of natural history in ancient times. Theophrastus was heavily influenced by Plato and Aristotle. In fact, he was good friends with Aristotle. He originally studied in Plato's school, then when Plato died, he attached himself to Aristotle.  His interests were wide ranging, from botany, to ethics and metaphysics. Aristotle was the father of the Peripatitic school, a school of philosophy. When he died, Theophrastus took over the school, and ran it for 35 years until his death at 85. The school flourished greatly under Theophrastus. Aristole also in his will made Theoph...

Plotinus - The Vegetarian Ancient Philosopher

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  Plotinus Plotinus was an ancient philosopher from almost 2,000 years ago. And was a vegetarian!!! This little-known philosopher lived in the 200 AD era, and was one of the pioneers of vegetarianism and animal rights. He was the founder of the Neoplatonic school of philosophy. Plotinus believed that all creatures had a soul. He thought the entire world had one single soul. This man avoided medicine made from animals, and taught that all animals feel pain and pleasure.  He believed in order for humans to unite with the 'Supreme Reality', humans had to treat all animals with compassion. He lived in Egypt, and had a primary philosophy of 3 principles: The One, the Intellect and The Soul. His concept of 'The One' is what he was best known for: beyond all being, the good, the beauty; 'the one' is the source of the world, according to Plotinus. He had a concept of the true human and happiness being beyond anything physical.  This man distrusted materialism. He was bi...

Plutarch the Vegetarian - For the Animals

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  Plutarch Plutarch was a philosopher of ancient Greece. He is considered one of the earliest vegetarian philosophers in history. He studied mathematics and philosophy. Plutarch was known for writing biographies of the time. His work he is known best for is Parallel Lives , a series of bios of well known Greeks and Romans in that point of history. Plutarch's works strongly influenced the evolution of the essay, biography and historical writing. He influenced many writers, including Shakespeare. Plutarch was a vegetarian, and strong advocate for animal rights. He wrote about the ethics of meat eating in Moralia, a collection of 78 essays. #68, titled De Esu Carnium , focused on the eating of the 'flesh of animals'. And this was 2000 years ago! He argued on behalf of the animals. Plutarch was influenced by Pythagorean philosophy. In the later part of his life, Plutarch spent his last 30 years as a priest. A few great quotes from Plutarch: "Poetry is painting that speaks...

Pythagorus - 1st Prominent Veg Philosopher

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  Pythagorus Pythagorus was an ancient Greek philosopher. Little do people know that he was the first prominent modern vegetarian! He was a strong supporter for animal rights. And this was over 2000 years ago, during ancient Greek times!!! Pythagorus influenced both Plato and Aristotle. He believed all living beings had souls. His lifestyle entailed that belief. He lived a veg lifestyle for many reasons, primarily for religious and moral reasons. Also, he lived an ascetic lifestyle, that of a hermit, which is understood for those times.  Pythagorus believed every soul is immortal. His belief that was when you die, you enter into a new body. And it can be non human as well. That was one reason he did not eat meat. He envisioned the mentality that if you were eating meat, that pig or cow could be your great-uncle that passed! His way of thought was strong in metaphysics and vegetarianism. He lived during the 500 BC era. Until the 1800s, if you were a vegetarian, you were coined ...

Porphyry - Veg Philosopher for the Animals

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  Porphyry Being vegan for the animals is more important than ever! Few people know about the ancient philosphers who advocated for our fellow creature's rights. One of the earliest philosophers who was an advocate for the animals was Pophyry. Back in the ancient Greek and Roman days, he was an advocate for 'vegetarianism' based on spiritual and ethical grounds. Back in ancient days, this was unheard of! This little known philosopher wrote a treatise called On Abstinence from Animal Food , advocating against the consumption of animals. Coming from the era of Ancient Philosophy, Pophyry came from the school of Neoplatonism. He lived in the Roman Empire. Pophyry was a student of Plotinus. His strong stance on veganism and animal rights is demonstrated in this quote from his treatise On Abstinence from Animal Food : "To deliver animals to be slaughtered and cooked, and thus be filled with murder, not for the sake of nutriment and satisfying the wants of nature, but making...

Welcome to the Vegan Veteran Retreat!

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  Welcome to the Vegan Veteran Retreat! A place for veterans, vegan lovers and our fellow creatures. Go Vegan!