# Definition of veganism

> The definition of vegan and veganism from the married couple Dorothy Watson and Donald Watson:

The definition of [vegan](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Vegan.txt) and [veganism](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Veganism.txt) from the married couple <Dorothy Watson> and <Donald Watson>:

> A philosophy and way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, as far as is possible and practicable, for <food>, clothing, or any other purpose; and that further encourages and develops alternatives that do not use animals, for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment. In dietary terms, it means not eating any food derived wholly or partly from animals.
>
> Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.

Donald Watson also wrote of his ethical motivations in the Vegan Society's "Vegan News No. 1" in <1944>:

> Just as our civilization in the past was built on <slavery>, it is easy to see that modern civilization is built on the exploitation of animals.