Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

Melanie Joy (Sociology, University of Massachusetts Boston)
Thursday, February 4, 2016 / 5:00 PM
Harold Frank Hall 1104

Do you believe that bacon makes everything better? Perhaps you’re a strict vegetarian, or even the more rare and spectacular vegan? Regardless of label, are you truly aware of what guides your choices?  The new “Introduction to Vegan Studies” seminar at UCSB and our community are thrilled to host internationally-acclaimed author, TEDx speaker, and Harvard-educated psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy. She will present on her widely-celebrated discourse about “carnism.”  Defined by Dr. Joy, “carnism” is the invisible belief system that conditions individuals to consume certain flesh. Because carnism is invisible, people typically don’t realize that eating animals is a choice, rather than a given. How does carnism truly impact us? What do our food choices reflect on the concept of free choice itself?

Regardless of your dietary preferences, come help us kick-off the exciting start to our Vegan Studies program. More news and events to come: www.veganstudies.org/  Stay after the presentation for a healthy spread of local, organic, in-season and 100% vegan tastes from the Isla Vista Food Co-op.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Joy and her work.

Sponsored by the Department of French and Italian Studies, the Graduate Center for Literary Research, the Department of Philosophy, the Environmental Studies Program and the IHC.