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An Introduction to the Philosophy of Food
Food Science
Most foods at the supermarket carry on their labels "nutritional facts." We use it to guide how we eat.
But what do those numbers have to do with what we put in our stomachs? We don't really know the rules regarding metabolism or understand the implications of the funding of studies on nutritional facts.
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Key Ideas
Philosophy of food
Philosophy of food is found on the idea that food is a mirror.
Eating reflects the making of a self - the many decisions and circumstances that lead us to eat the way we do. Philosophy of food mirrors on the ethical, political, social, artistic, identity-defining aspects of food. It makes us think and reflect on our diets and eating habits.
Food as a Relation
Food is a relation to organism and circumstance.
- Food is bound to vary from moment to moment. Coffee and pasty are a fine breakfast or afternoon snack. Yet, most of us won't enjoy it for dinner.
- Circumstances are bound to involve contradictory principles. You may buy only organic food, but on vacation, you crave burgers and fries.
Therefore, any given food relation is the mirror of an eater, and it represents the eater's needs, habits, convictions, deliberations, and compromises.
Food Ethics
Ethical convictions can shape our diets.* Would you eat a cat or a horse? Why or why not?* Your reasons are likely rooted in ethical principles, such as feeling outraged that someone can do such a thing.
Vegetarians conform to a particular diet to prevent unjustified violence being done to animals.
Food as Art
Food as art has spurred heated debates. Some argue that food is a minor art at best for three reasons:
- Foods are short-lived in comparison to, for instance, long-lasting art carved out of marble.
- Food is intrinsically linked to a practical purpose - nourishment.
- Food depends on its material constitution that is different from music, painting, or sculpture.
At best, cooks can be very good artisans and can be paired with fancy hairdressers or skilled gardeners.
Food Experts
Americans highly esteem the role of food experts while the French and Italians do not. It's possibly because of different ways to regard the evaluation of a food.
Is there a truth when it comes to judgments about food? On the one hand, my tasting experience is different from yours and completely subjective. On the other, an expert can challenge a reviewer's opinions about a wine or a restaurant.
Food Science
Most foods at the supermarket carry on their labels "nutritional facts." We use it to guide how we eat.
But what do those numbers have to do with what we put in our stomachs? We don't really know the rules regarding metabolism or understand the implications of the funding of studies on nutritional facts.
Food Politics
Some concerns for political philosophy include:
- The challenges that food consumption poses to the environment. For example, factory farming produces more pollution than airfare travel.
- Food trades, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, raise issues of fairness and equity in the global market.
- Food production, distribution, and retail is an opportunity to talk about the condition of workers across the globe.
Food and Self-Understanding
A refusal to consider eating habits in a meaningful manner is similar to a lack of self-understanding or authenticity.
Since self-understanding and authenticity are some of the chief aims of philosophical inquiry, food is a key to philosophical insight. The philosophy of food is then the pursuit of an authentic diet.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
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Understanding how long food lasts
Should humanity face a nuclear apocalypse of worldwide war, we need to understand which foods might be safe for survivors to eat, and how long the foods will last.
To understand this, we ne...
Why foods go bad
Most foods spoil because of the growth of microbes. Preserving food is an attempt to limit microbial growth. Food can be preserved by drying, salting, chilling, or storing in air-tight containers.
- Drying is the most effective because microbial growth is inhibited.
- Salting is effective because it removes moisture, creating an environment where microbes cannot survive.
- Sugar coating can prevent bacterial cells from functioning correctly.
- Storing in air-tight containers is less effective because there are probably a lot of microbes on the food before you put it in the container. Some microbes are anaerobic, meaning they don't need oxygen.
Food preservatives
Preservatives are used in foods to extend their shelf lives. One of McDonald's Big Mac in Iceland is an example of a long-lasting processed food. It has been on display since 2009, in a glass box. Preservatives that has been discontinued by McDonald's are:
- calcium propionate that prevents mold growth on bread.
- sorbic acid that also inhibits mold from cheese
- sodium benzoate, which inhibits the growth of bacteria in the Big Mac special sauce.
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Aristotle gave us an alternative conception of happiness
It cannot be acquired by pleasurable experiences but only by identifying and realizing our own potential, moral and creative, in our specific environments, with our particular family, friends and colleagues, and helping others to do so.
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Best foods don’t have labels
Because they are just one ingredient: avocado, lentils, blueberries, broccoli, almonds, etc.
There is no "best diet"
The “best” diet is a theme: an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and plain water for thirst.
That can be with or without seafood; with or without dairy; with or without eggs; with or without some meat; high or low in total fat.
The "Age" of vegetables
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