Final answer:
Absolute ethical veganism is a position that can be rationally defended based on universal principles unearthed through reason, yet it must also reckon with the challenges of moral relativism and practical societal concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding whether absolute ethical veganism is an irrational position touches upon aspects of ethical philosophy. Discussions within philosophical circles have long considered the potential absolutist and relativist perspectives on morality. The concept of ethical veganism often arises from the position that causing harm to animals for food is a violation of ethical precepts, emphasizing the inherent value of all living beings. However, when considering the ethical framework of veganism, one must also consider various practical dilemmas and relative cultural norms.
Philosophers such as Socrates and Plato have suggested that universal ethical principles can be discovered through reason, suggesting that a rational basis for something like ethical veganism could indeed exist. Meanwhile, moral relativism would argue that such ethical choices are always relative to the individual or community.
This ongoing debate suggests that while some may find absolute ethical veganism to be too rigid in the face of societal norms and practical concerns, from a philosophical standpoint, it can be viewed as a considered, rational choice based on the pursuit of universal ethical principles.