Ryby to nie warzywa. Argumenty dziewiętnastowiecznych wegetarian przeciwko zjadaniu ryb
Fish Are Not Vegetables: 19th Century Vegetarian Arguments against Eating Fish

Summary/Abstract: In 1847, the world’s first Vegetarian Society was established in England. Its founding principles declared that members were not allowed to consume meat, poultry or fish. While the eating of non-flesh animal-based products was left to the choice of individual Society members, the principle of not eating the “Three Fs” (flesh, fowl, fish) was mandatory – a necessary condition to be considered a “vegetarian.” So those who wanted to be vegetarians had to also give up fish. This restriction provoked much debate and controversy, and the level of opposition went beyond that of red and white meat. This was due to the special status of fish in religion and the wider culture. Why should a Christian not eat fish as Christ did? Vegetarians, in turn, defended their position by invoking theological, ethical, aesthetic and health and hygiene-based arguments. This article presents all these arguments and discusses the detailed reasons that nineteenth-century vegetarians formulated to justify their refusal to eat these beautiful and sensitive creatures.

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