Meat: A Natural Symbol

by Nick Fiddes

"Meat" is a provocative study of the human passion for meat. It addresses such questions as why meat is important to us; why we eat some animals but not others; why vegetarianism is increasing; why we aren't cannibals; and how meat is associated with environmental destruction. Nick Fiddes argues that meat's primary cultural importance is founded on its representing to us the domination we have sought over nature - not as individuals, but as members of a society which has historically placed great value on that power. The book draws on original research and analyzes academic work, trade journals, advertisements, the popular press, fiction and film. It is illustrated by quotes from conversations with farmers, butchers, vegetarian campaigners, and members of the general public. Placing western preferences in a historical and cross-cultural context, the book questions the rationality of much that we take for granted, and explains many inconsistencies and incongruities in our behaviour. This book should be of interest to students of sociology and anthropology.

• ISBN10: 0415048370
• ISBN13: 9780415048378
• Publish Date: 5 September 1991
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 8 November 2009
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Imprint: Routledge
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[celinenyx]

Why is meat so important in Western society? Is it really because we need the protein? How do our myths about meat consumption shape our conceptions on ethics, animal husbandry, and ecology?

Mr Fiddes has written a broad sociological introduction in Meat, discussing topics ranging from European intellectual thought, as well as using interviews and quantitative statistical data. Meat is a symbol within our culture - it is a sign of prosperity, of control over nature, of mankind's power. The author lays out his argument in a clear manner, never necessarily critiquing meat consumption itself, but rather baring the underlying reasons for why we find meat so important. Although written in the eighties, I found many of his conclusions and observations to be surprisingly contemporary.

My own relationship with meat has been a difficult one, as I have moved from eating meat daily to only eating it once or twice a week, mainly from an environmental perspective. Meat production is inefficient, no matter how you look at it, and it takes away precious resources from countries that need them most. If the entire world ate as much meat as we do in the West, the available farmland would not be able to sustain the population. Meat has inspired me to - again - rethink my stance on meat, and how important it is for myself to keep eating it.