74: Author C Lou Hamilton – “I’m increasingly unsatisfied with anyone who has any degree of privilege who claims to be doing social justice work who has no time for veganism” – Sentientism

We discuss the biggest questions: "what's real?", "who matters?" and "how to make a better world?" with scientists, celebrities, activists, writers and philosophers. The Sentientism worldview is "evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings." It's a simple, yet radical, philosophy that's grounded in reality (naturalistic epistemology) and has compassion for all sentient beings (mostly human and non-human animals). Naturalism & sentiocentrism combined.

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C Lou / Carrie (@clouhamilton1 & veganismsexandpolitics.com & drcarriehamilton.com) is an author, editor & translator. She wrote the book “Veganism, Sex & Politics: Tales of Danger & Pleasure” about her vegan journey & how veganism relates to wider social justice issues including feminist, queer & anti-racist politics as well as environmentalism.

In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”

Sentientism is “evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” The video of our conversation is here on YouTube.

We discuss:

0:00 Welcome

2:05 Carrie’s Intro – academic history to writing & activism

– Acknowledging Canada’s indigenous & settlement history

– Growing up near Toronto

– Agnostic, democratic socialist parents, focused on social justice, activism environmentalism & praxis. No feminism, animal ethics or colonial awareness

– “I didn’t know any vegetarians when I was growing up”

– Extending moral consideration beyond humans. Considering our responsibilities

– Feminism & women’s studies

– The liberation of leaving academia

– Writing “Veganism, Sex & Politics”

– Academic activism, public reach & politics

– “The idea that you would do animal studies while at the same time eating their bodies…”

16:25 What’s Real?

– Agnosticism

– Psychedelics, spiritual/mystical experiences

– Having respect for religious people but little patience for religious institutions. Not positive influences. Patriarchy & authoritarianism

– Institutional abuse & cover-ups

– Naturalistic & supernatural experiences of awe & wonder

– How supernatural beliefs can warp ethics

– How religious organisations use societal deference as a shield

– The positive contributions of religious institutions

– Feminism: asking questions & considering practicalities

30:09 What Matters?

– Supernatural & naturalistic ethical frameworks

– The importance of challenging our assumptions & influences (e.g. re: sentient animals & veganism)

– Individualism, collectivism, authoritarianism, dogma

– Forms of feminism

– “It’s important to think about… & revise… where our values come from”

– Movements that are ostensibly secular often mindlessly integrate aspects of authoritarianism & dogma from religion

– Criticisms of veganism as puritan & sacrificial. But it’s a pleasure!

– The challeges of talking about veganism as a “moral baseline” (Francione, Steiner). Too much dogma?

– Applying a naturalistic humility & scepticism to ethics

– Introspection via Buddhist meditation & writing

– Having the space & resources to slow down & be mindful

+ more! Full notes on YouTube and Sentientism.info.

Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at Sentientism.info. Join our “I’m a Sentientist” wall using this simple form.

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Thanks for the post-prod Graham.