Abstract: Vegetarianism - from Asceticism to ethical Hedonism

The focus of research Vegetarianism – From Asceticism to Ethical Hedonism seeks – for the first time in terms of studies in the German language – to challenge the prevalent idea of vegetarianism, and especially veganism as being rigid and ascetic lifestyles.

To this end, there is a need for an increased exchange of information between academics and “multipliers” – such as journalists, teachers and restauranteurs – in relevant studies and publications etc.

The main goal is – in the context of a pluralistic society – to bring vegetarianism / veganism into the public arena of debate, and to do so more effectively using ethical hedonistic arguments. Thereby reinforcing it as a subject in interdisciplinary academic discourse as well as in wider public debate. The arguments for ethical hedonism follow in the tradition of enlightened humanism.