This collection of 29 classic and new essays by scholars and social critics provides a balance of arguments for being a vegetarian or meat-eater. Sapontzis (emeritus, philosophy, California State U.-Hayward), an animal rights activist, introduces the terminology and issues in the debate. The first contribution surveys the history of philosophical vegetarianism. Clearly, neither side has a monopoly on ethical, religious, cultural, feminist, ecological, or medical rationales for its position. Lacks an index. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)