I’m enjoying this podcast. On an unrelated note, I wanted to point out a mistake the professor makes that is very common. He uses the expression several times “moral schizophrenia,” I assume to refer to multiple personalities — as in we say or think one thing, do another, etc. — a form of cognitive dissonance, in other words. But schizophrenics do not have multiple personalities. The disorder used to be called multiple personality disorder to describe more than one personality, although the current correct term is Dissociative Identity Disorder. Even then, I think it’s advisable not to use the phrase because DID is the result of severe trauma, and so to toss around psychiatric disorders I believe trivializes those who suffer from them. But I much appreciate and agree with the animal rights theories presented.

I like his view, but I think he should be nicer to vegetarians. He seems to hate vegetarians, but never even talks about people who don’t try to be good to animals and just eat meat and other animal products

Gary Francione is awesome. I think it's the best discussion on animal rights you can find online. Sad it seems to have ended a number of years ago. Website is good though.

These podcasts really help me formulate better arguments for veganism- thank you!

I so glad to see a new podcast!

This podcast is amazing! When I became vegan about five years ago, I was totally committed to the lifestyle of doing right by animals. As time went on, I got lazy. I chose to seek out opinions that would justify my occasional purchase of leather shoes or eat something that had an obscure animal by-product in it. As a Christian, I became self conscious when others would say things like, "if meat was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me". I then went down the path of being vegan for "health" reasons. As I was introduced to the Vegan Freak podcast about two years ago, and subsequently Gary Francione, I was hit with a very serious reality check. I can argue for this podcast from both sides of the fence. I don't praise it because I'm vegan. I praise it because it's the truth! At times, I would turn it off because I was convicted about what I was doing. It's very true that people become combative about veganism and animal abolition because it forces one to question their behavior. The only reason people eat and wear animals is for personal taste and enjoyment. There are very few people that need to eat meat for medical reasons. It's high time we stop glorifying animals we call pets and start making the connection that ALL animal exploitation is wrong. Many thanks to Gary for taking a less than popular position on this matter. It is because of his work that I'm reminded that veganism is NOT a food choice but a moral imperative.

Gary's arguments are consistent and his philosophy is selfless. Indeed, taking a selfless approach is essential when pondering the issue of animal rights since it requires a departure from mankind's egocentric mindset. To see the truth is to realize that our species is not so "special" after all. Gary Francione does a fantastic job looking at the issue from a point of view that rejects common speciesist ideas. I hope this podcast jars you out of your deeply ingrained prejudices and helps you see the world as it actually is.

One of the best Animal Rights podcasts from American shores

Like no other. The kind of thing that will change your life.

As always, Francione strikes the right balance between accessibility and complexity. His commentaries are simple enough for just about everyone to understand, but they are certainly not simplistic. Every person who claims to care about animals ought to listen to Francione's podcast commentaries.

...seemlingly only like to talk to only other vegans that 100% agree with each other, link to each others blogs that appear to be written for each other, espouse non-violence daily yet attack other vegans, fear monger and create division. Oh, they also worship Gary L. Francione and praise and quote him incessantly, which Gary seems to require. Abolitionist Approach and Gary have a lot to offer in theory...but sadly, it's completely nullified by hypocracy, egotism and passive-agressiveness.

Gary Francione is a voice defiant of naive optimism. The Abolitionist Approach commentary delivers commentary on current events and animal issues which often strongly disagree with the status quo. For those ready to be critical for the benefit of the billions who suffer for our use every day, The Abolitionist Approach Commentary is essential listening.

Professor Francione's abolitionist approach is lucid, succinct, and rock-solid. To truly understand animal rights, you can do no better than to read his books, but his blogs and podcasts go a long way toward clearing up much of the confusion that permeates our culture, even within the 'animal protection movement'!

I am so happy that Gary Francione decided to start a podcast, his words are insightful, his message is clear and it is a must listen to for any vegan or individual interested in veganism.