Animal advocacy and the principle of charity

Going forward, I have decided to use strictly the principle of charity (for at least one year) in my dealings with other animals advocates where it is practicable to do so (except where abiding by the principle of charity would draw me into greater harms, issues of sincerity or other misguided positions with respect to other advocates). 

Of course, charity is not a panacea to fix the broader problems in the advocacy community.  It cannot paper over substantive ideological differences nor will it solve some of the more endemic social problems to the movement. Nor will it inure me from the less than charitable attacks directed toward Gary L. Francione or toward other abolitionist colleagues. Indeed, it is impossible to read some of the most recent and historical attacks charitably.

But neither will charitable reading of substantive and sincere discussion inhibit my criticism (which will remain continuous, involved and, let's say, hands-on). Further, I believe without question that abolitionist and vegan ideas are well-reasoned enough that disagreement with them easily withstands a charitable reading of disagreements with abolition as an ideology or veganism as a practice. Nonviolence in discourse starts with engaging what people have actually written rather than misrepresenting their views as a rhetorical tactic.

I have no doubt that there will be occasional lapses, but no one's perfect. I am deeply ambivalent about any sort of leadership role in our community. But in the end, my work is about me and my relationship to other animals, and that's what I want to keep uppermost in my mind.  My sense is that discipline, practical knowledge and a commitment to what we owe others (whether we consider them lovable) are all important parts of a good moral character. Fidelity is important, even with our opponents.

I don't consider much of my interaction with the advocacy community to be particularly uncharitable.  Nevertheless, virtue calls us to be models when we can be, and I am daily reminded of just how sorely the advocacy needs good role models.

May peace be upon us all.