La ruta hacia el veganismo. Una aproximación desde los afectos a través de relatos de vida

Isabel Margarita Aguilera Bornand; Juan Alfaro; Claudia Giacoman Hernández

doi:10.22234/recu.20231101.e737

Authors

Isabel Margarita Aguilera Bornand Universidad Arturo Prat https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0534-4369
Juan Alfaro Universidad Diego Portales https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4879-2962
Claudia Giacoman Hernández Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4527-625X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22234/recu.20231101.e737

Keywords:

Veganism, emotions, catalytic experiences, animals, Ahmed

Abstract

This paper examines the beginning of vegan life trajectories using Ahmed’s perspective on emotions. We aim to understand how emotions work in the path to veganism. We analyzed biographic interviews, specifically stories about catalytic experiences and moments of contact with animals during childhood. In both kinds of experiences, feelings of fear, disgust and love are intertwined and are driving force behind distancing, drawing closer, identification and alterization processes that shapes the lives and social relations of the participants. We claim that catalytic experiences are entanglements of emotion, cognition and sensation where self awareness and a quest for congruence occur. We also claim that the path to veganism is made of contacts and impressions that leave traces on the bodies and resonate in the trajectories.

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Author Biographies

Isabel Margarita Aguilera Bornand, Universidad Arturo Prat

Chilean. PhD in Anthropology by the Universidad de Barcelona with a degree in Sociology by the Universidad de Chile. Currently working as a researcher for the PhD in Social Sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Chile. Areas of research: anthropology of food and consumption; representations and racial-ethnic alteration; common nationalisms. Recent publications: “Adaptación metodológica en un contexto de pandemia. Una aproximación reflexiva a las entrevistas por videollamadas” (2022) “Transición política y gastrodiplomacia en Chile. Reconciliarse en la mesa” (2021).

Juan Alfaro, Universidad Diego Portales

Chilean. Sociologist in the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and student of the Magíster en Métodos para la Investigación Social de la Universidad Diego Portales, Chile. Areas of investigation: sociology of cultural consumption, sociology of alimentation, and sociology of elites. Recent publications: “Construcción de privilegios y actitudes hacia la riqueza: percepciones y creencias de madres y padres de colegios de elite en Chile” (2022) and “Pandemic patriotism: Official speeches in the face of the global Covid-19 crisis” (2022).

Claudia Giacoman Hernández, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Chilean. PhD in Sociology by the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and Adjunct Professor of the Instituto de Sociología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Areas of research: sociology of alimentation, of the body, and health. Recent publications: “Dance to resist: emotions and protest in Lindy Hop dancers during October 2019 Chilean rallies” (2022) y “Becoming vegan: A study of career and habitus” (2021).

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