One can say that “vegan” is a diet, a lifestyle, a personal choice. And that can be a valid and accurate perspective. But to many people, eating other animals is simply murder. People murdering other animals to consume their flesh just because it pleases them, despite it not usually being necessary. Imagine being introduced to me at a party as somebody who commits one murder per day - but you know, it would be gauche to dwell upon that, to allow it to color your perceptions of me. To consider the implications of the wake of suffering behind me, and ahead of me, as I carve my trail through life.
But it’s natural and popular, so it must be ethical! I don’t mind carnivores who do so without hypocrisy, who make the kill themselves deliberately - and accept that they too might find themselves to be the meal, knowing that they do not exist exempt from the circle of life.
It is not foolproof, but I find that it is generally excellent advice to treat others how you would like to treated yourself
