ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I argue that while most people aren’t obligated to be vegans, some are. This is because some people take very weak agent neutral reasons—such as the outside chance of making a difference, or the thought that animal products symbolize patriarchy—and strengthen them into obligation-generating agent relative reasons. They do this in many ways. Among them, by forming a particular practical identity, or joining a certain movement, or opting into a certain sort of relationship with animals. I discuss both how this happens and why it might make moral sense to make the sorts of commitments that generate obligations. Although some won’t need a reason to make such commitments, others will. I propose that a particularly good reason to do this is because it’s good to signal to others that it’s worth being part of a coalition that can address aggregate harms—in this case, the plight of animals in the food system.
