Drawing on research in plant science, systems ecology, environmental philosophy, and cultural anthropology, Andrew F. Smith shatters the distinction between vegetarianism and omnivorism. The book outlines the implications that these manufactured distinctions have for how we view food and ourselves as eaters.

Is vegetarianism morally defensible? Can one even be a vegetarian? This book asserts that the answers to both these questions is a resounding 'no.' Drawing on the latest research in plant science, systems ecology, environmental philosophy, and cultural anthropology, Andrew F. Smith—himself a long-time vegetarian—shatters the distinction between vegetarianism and omnivorism. He explains how the world would be better off if we could re-orient the way we think about plants, animals, and the moral reasoning that we use to bolster our belief in such a binary. Smith illustrates how the divisions we have constructed between plants and animals, and between omnivorism and vegetarianism, is emblematic of a way of thinking about ourselves and our eating practices that perpetuates an ecocidal worldview. A Critique of the Moral Defense of Vegetarianism insists we must adopt new ways of looking at things if our species is to survive and thrive. Smith suggests we begin by re-envisioning our relationship with our food. It turns out we are not what we eat, but who we eat. And this makes a world of difference.

"Smith offers a powerful and careful argument that contests moral, philosophical, and cultural arguments for vegetarianism and veganism. This is a beautifully readable work. The author's openness to his own struggles and his reflexivity about the processes by which he has reached his conclusions make it easy to follow along. At the same time Smith requires readers to reflect and work hard. Wonderful! Why isn't more academia like this?" - Graham Harvey, The Open University, UK "Andrew F. Smith proceeds with well-grounded premises that defy the binary between the animal and plant worlds. I highly recommend this book for its thoughtful investigation of the 'closed-loop' system of life." - Naomi Zack, University of Oregon, USA "This is one of the most important books I've read in the past two decades. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or neither, it will change your mind in significant ways (it did mine). And you'll enjoy the process, even if it means relinquishing some assumptions you once considered far too self-evident to be questioned." - Daniel Quinn, author of Ishmael

"Smith offers a powerful and careful argument that contests moral, philosophical, and cultural arguments for vegetarianism and veganism. This is a beautifully readable work. The author's openness to his own struggles and his reflexivity about the processes by which he has reached his conclusions make it easy to follow along. At the same time Smith requires readers to reflect and work hard. Wonderful! Why isn't more academia like this?" - Graham Harvey, The Open University, UK "Andrew F. Smith proceeds with well-grounded premises that defy the binary between the animal and plant worlds. I highly recommend this book for its thoughtful investigation of the 'closed-loop' system of life." - Naomi Zack, University of Oregon, USA "This is one of the most important books I've read in the past two decades. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or neither, it will change your mind in significant ways (it did mine). And you'll enjoy the process, even if it means relinquishing some assumptions you once considered far too self-evident to be questioned." - Daniel Quinn, author of Ishmael

"Smith offers a powerful and careful argument that contests moral, philosophical, and cultural arguments for vegetarianism and veganism. This is a beautifully readable work. The author's openness to his own struggles and his reflexivity about the processes by which he has reached his conclusions make it easy to follow along. At the same time Smith requires readers to reflect and work hard. Wonderful! Why isn't more academia like this?" - Graham Harvey, The Open University, UK "Andrew F. Smith proceeds with well-grounded premises that defy the binary between the animal and plant worlds. I highly recommend this book for its thoughtful investigation of the 'closed-loop' system of life." - Naomi Zack, University of Oregon, USA "This is one of the most important books I've read in the past two decades. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or neither, it will change your mind in significant ways (it did mine). And you'll enjoy the process, even if it means relinquishing some assumptions you once considered far too self-evident to be questioned." - Daniel Quinn, author of Ishmael