Vegan Society Researcher Dr Lorna Brocksopp explores the link
Wellbeing. It’s a word that is increasingly on everyone’s lips, but what does it actually mean? Wellbeing is often related to happiness, and there seems to be a growing hunger for a truer, more achievable and sustainable happiness – one that is more than the fleeting instant gratification associated with materialistic pursuits or the addictive ‘like’ on Facebook. It is precisely here, in this more sustainable, quieter, gentler notion of wellbeing that we see connections with the vegan way of life.
What is hedonism?
When I first started researching mental health and wellbeing over 20 years ago, I found two overarching concepts of wellbeing enormously helpful.
The first sees wellbeing as hedonic (coined by Greek philosopher, Aristippus) and concerns striving for minimum pain and maximum pleasure. This pleasure can be short-lived and involve instant gratification. Hedonic activities include the ‘thrill’ of buying new things, a ‘like’ on social media and various other addictive activities or technologies that all form part of what is known as the “hedonic treadmill,” meaning that the more we have, the more we want.
Generally, this type of wellbeing comes from external stimuli (e.g., consumerism, advertising) and although such sources aren’t necessarily a ‘bad thing’, they can have negative effects on our spiritual, emotional, physical and social health if this is our only source of wellbeing.
What is eudemonia?
This is why, through my own research, I found that there’s a need for balancing the hedonic pursuit of wellbeing with a concept called eudemonia (as explained by Greek philosopher Aristotle and translating as “our true nature”). Eudemonic wellbeing concerns finding meaning and purpose in our day-to-day life and living in accordance with our inner values. We could describe it as “a quiet contentment” or sense of inner, spiritual wellbeing.
It is here that I see the natural link with veganism. Eudemonia is about feeling a sense of connectedness with yourself, others and the world around you. This may be achieved through:
- Engagement with others – including other animals and the environment
- Our relationship with ourselves through personal development, self-care and learning (known as ‘flourishing’)
- Expressing gratitude and using our strengths to serve something greater than ourselves (e.g., altruistic behaviours: helping others and showing compassion).
It is precisely this type of wellbeing that “Second wave” Positive Psychology now emphasises as the most important path to long-term happiness, and I would tend to agree.
The Self and the Other
Although I personally believe there is a natural link between eudemonia and veganism, there is a lack of research and discourse connecting the two fields. Despite the explosion of interest in happiness, compassion, mindfulness and other topics within the wellbeing field, the bridge with veganism remains the road less travelled.
Is this because the current preoccupation with wellbeing tends to emphasise the ‘internal gaze’, perpetuated, perhaps, by the current selfie-orientated culture that seems to emphasise an egoistic preoccupation with gratifying our own hedonic needs and desires? Although I am not denying that improving our physical and mental health is undoubtedly beneficial and helpful, are we at risk as a society of becoming too focused on the Self to the detriment of the many forms of the Other?
I believe that society needs to deviate from the well-trodden footsteps of the path laid by Aristotle, who saw human flourishing as achievable through the dominion of the natural world. I would suggest that instead, society needs to consider how individuals can flourish and feel happy and well through a harmonious connection with all sentient beings and nature, akin to the philosophies of Plutarch, Ovid and Seneca.
Research suggests that this feeling of connectedness engendered by eudemonic wellbeing leads to altruism and “actively giving” – the intention to become an active, self-actualising, giving individual who is increasingly focused on the ‘eco’ rather than the ‘ego’.
A peaceful purpose
Indeed, there is a wealth of literature linking altruism with spiritual wellbeing and eudemonia. I believe that the next step is therefore for us to help people make the link with veganism. To encourage people to develop their eudemonic rather than hedonic wellbeing. To turn the current inward gaze away from ‘me’ and ‘my wellbeing’ and our preoccupation with bettering the Self. To take advantage of the current interest in wellbeing practices such as mindfulness to show how true, authentic mindful living is to develop a sense of compassion and connectedness with all forms of the Other – not just other humans, but all sentient beings and the earth under our feet.
I believe that wellbeing and veganism are entwined in the same gentle, quiet way of living in accordance with your values: a life with meaning and a peaceful purpose. Wellbeing is about a life lived compassionately, gratefully and mindfully. To turn our gaze outwards and realise that we are all part of the same body, connected to all other sentient beings and the world all around us. This realisation has led me to understand the intrinsic value of all life and the importance of learning to care not only for ourselves, but also for each other, and to actively care for the wellbeing of all creatures and the environment.
My wellbeing, your wellbeing, their wellbeing – we are all interconnected so, for me, veganism is the only way that makes sense.
