The Ethics of Consumption and Complicity

Sor Juana, despite her profound critique of injustice, existed within systems she could not entirely escape. She grappled with the contradictions of her position—seeking freedom while constrained by her world. This intellectual honesty offers crucial guidance for modern animal ethics. Most of us participate daily in animal exploitation through food, clothing, and commodities, yet we need not become paralyzed by guilt. Instead, Sor Juana's model invites rigorous self-examination: What do I consume and why? What harm am I complicit in, and can I reduce it? Can I use my privilege to advocate for those without voice? The ethics of consumption is not about purity or perfection—Sor Juana knew that was impossible—but about conscious engagement with difficult realities. It requires asking uncomfortable questions, making incremental changes, and acknowledging both the injustice of systems and our participation within them. This approach honors animal suffering while recognizing human limitations.