Vegetarianism has been around for a long time, although
where and when the practice started is uncertain.
One candidate for being first to advocate vegetarianism is
the ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras (c.570 – c.495 BC) –
he of the famous theorem about right-angled triangles and hippopotamuses,
although I might have got that last bit wrong.
Pythagoras required pupils in his school of philosophy to
refrain from eating meat, his thinking being connected to his belief in
reincarnation – if people could have new lives as sheep or cows, eating these
animals could be seen as a form of cannibalism!
The modern notion of vegetarianism was given substance in
the 1840s, and before that date anyone who abstained from meat-eating was often
referred to as a “Pythagorean”.
I am virtually vegetarian in that I don’t eat meat, although
I do eat fish. Although I agree with many of the arguments in favour of not
eating meat I do not abstain for ideological reasons – I just can’t stand the
stuff and never could!
For me, the taste and texture of all forms of meat are far
from pleasant, and for many years I really could not understand how anyone
could actually enjoy eating it. I used to think that they were undergoing some
sort of penance, because surely nobody would choose to eat it if they didn’t
have to! I have become convinced over time that meat does actually get eaten
because people like it, but it still seems odd to me.
One of the things I looked forward to on leaving home and
becoming independent was never having to eat meat again, and I am glad to say
that I never have. Perhaps I am a direct descendant of Pythagoras!
© John Welford
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