The ethical principle that humans must live without exploiting animals.
The problem when it comes to human beings and other animals, is not how they are treating them but how they are viewing them. Veganism is an ethical principle against ALL forms of animal use and it's focus is Animal Emancipation, not treatment (welfarism). Furthermore, cultures religions and traditions are not a justification to develop an oppressive mindset, overshadow someone with it and use them for your benefit.
Animal Emancipation will only be achieved with a majority, world wide removal of the oppressive mindset human beings currently have for other animals. It's that very parasitical vantage point for other animals that leads to animal exploitation. Distinguishing between welfarism and veganism is very imperative to the comprehension of this entire (what should be) social justice movement.
The physical exploitation isn't always so blatant as well but the idea of using someone for one's own benefit is pretty vivid. It becomes very pristine when you finally rid your programmed, oppressive mindset and adopt the vegan one.
- Quote from @education_for_emancipation
"Because the question of definition is so obviously an important one, I am going to ask you to be kind enough to commit it to memory, so that when we use the word "veganism" we shall all be thinking of the same thing. Veganism then, is the doctrine that man should live without exploiting animals. This definition is written, in exactly those words, in the constitution of the Vegan Society, so that no-one joins the Society as either a full member or an associate without knowing exactly what he is supporting". -Leslie Cross, The Vegan Story 1955
