Podcast 23

In this episode of the Engaged Jain Studies Podcast, Arihanta Institute professor and lead organizer of the Vegan Studies Initiative, Jonathan Dickstein, PhD, speaks with political science scholar Jishnu Guha-Majumdar, PhD about his forthcoming course with Arihanta Institute, 1020 | Foundations of Animal Ethics. Drawing on years of research and a deep commitment to justice for animals, Dr. Guha-Majumdar reflects on his own ethical journey, the interplay between theory and praxis, and why it matters that we understand why animals deserve moral consideration—not just how to act on their behalf.

Together, they explore key ethical frameworks—from utilitarianism to rights-based and care ethics—and discuss the evolving landscape of animal advocacy, including how our rhetoric and conceptual vocabulary shape public discourse and political action. The episode also previews what students can expect in the course, including a rigorous engagement with foundational theories, weekly readings, and live Q&A sessions throughout August 2025.

📚 1020 | Foundations of Animal Ethics launches August 4, 2025, through Arihanta Institute’s Vegan Studies Initiative and will remain available for self-paced study. All live Zoom sessions will be recorded and accessible, whether you join at launch or enroll at a later date. Whether you're an activist, student, or lifelong learner, this course invites you to rethink your assumptions about animals, ethics, and action.

Learn more and enroll:

https://www.arihantainstitute.org/course/1020-foundations-of-animal-ethics

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & LINKS

• 1020 | Foundations of Animal Ethics - Arihanta Institute
• CNS Journal | "Veganism as Left Praxis"
• VOX | "Vegans are radical. That’s why we need them."
• Vegan Studies Initiative @ Arihanta Institute | Courses, Speaker Series, Research & More!

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ABOUT OUR PODCAST GUESTS

Jishnu Guha-Majumdar is an assistant professor of political theory in the political science department at Butler University. His academic research considers the relationships between animal advocacy, ecological advocacy, and antiracism.

ABOUT OUR PODCAST HOST

Dr. Jonathan Dickstein specializes in South Asian Religions, Religion and Ecology, and Comparative Religious Ethics. He received his doctoral degree in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he wrote his dissertation on ancient Indian animal taxonomies and their relevance for religious ritual and dietary practice. Jonathan’s current work focuses on Jainism and contemporary ecological issues, and accordingly extends into Critical Animal Studies, Food Studies, and Diaspora Studies.

Jonathan has published in a wide array of interdisciplinary journals on topics such as veganism and politics, yoga and diet, Jain veganism, and the ethic of nonviolence (ahiṃsa). Jonathan considers himself a scholar-practitioner, having spent many years not only in libraries but also in public advocating for justice for both humans and nonhumans alike.

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