Item 17 in Truth By Reason Master Ethical Code

Consume with Restraint

Consider the human, animal and environmental costs of food, goods, travel, energy and waste.

Position
17
Form
Mixed formulation
Obligation
Context-dependent
Wording status
Translation
Intended audience
Everyone
Last reviewed
28 June 2026

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Consume with Restraint

Source wording

<p>Consider the human, animal and environmental costs of food, goods, travel, energy and waste.</p>

Translation

Literal meaning

Consider the human, animal and environmental costs of food, goods, travel, energy and waste.

Broader interpretation

Prefer durable, sufficient and less harmful choices where practical, without romanticising deprivation.

Practical meaning

Consider the human, animal and environmental costs of food, goods, travel, energy and waste.

Ethical purpose

Prefer durable, sufficient and less harmful choices where practical, without romanticising deprivation.

Modern application

Apply this principle to personal conduct, organisations and public policy, with particular attention to people and beings who carry the greatest risks while holding the least power.

Criticism and difficult cases

This principle may conflict with other duties. It should therefore be applied with evidence, proportionality, role reversal, attention to power and review of foreseeable consequences.

Truth By Reason analysis

Prefer durable, sufficient and less harmful choices where practical, without romanticising deprivation.

Sources