My dad's a doctor, and when I was 8, I went to one of his medical

In the words of Natalie Portman, "My dad's a doctor, and when I was 8, I went to one of his medical conferences where they were demonstrating laser surgery on a chicken. I was so mad that a chicken had to die, I never ate meat again." These words reveal a profound moment of awakening—a realization of the sanctity of life that transcends reason and intellect, piercing straight to the heart. Portman’s reaction to witnessing the suffering of an innocent animal speaks to a universal moral truth: the struggle between the pursuit of knowledge or progress and the preservation of life. At the tender age of 8, she felt the deep justice in the act of sparing life, and in that moment, a decision was made—a decision that would shape her life forever. Her commitment to compassion and ethics sprang from that formative experience.

The ancients understood the importance of compassion, especially toward the vulnerable. The great Greek philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, often discussed the concept of virtue as being not just about knowledge or wisdom, but about justice, mercy, and empathy. Aristotle, in particular, believed that a virtuous person would cultivate empathy and take care not to cause harm unnecessarily. The ancient Greeks also practiced the idea of philanthropy and respecting the dignity of life. Portman’s moral decision to avoid consuming meat is a reflection of this ancient value—an early realization of the ethical dimensions of our relationship with the animals that sustain us.

Plato, in his works, spoke of the soul’s alignment with the Good, where humans must act in accordance with higher virtues, especially when it comes to the treatment of others—whether human or animal. His ideas about the care of the soul emphasized the need for empathy and justice in all actions. Just as Plato taught that true wisdom comes from understanding and acting on the inherent dignity of all life, so too did Portman’s young decision to abstain from eating meat become a form of living with integrity. The moral awakening she experienced echoed the ancient philosophers’ belief that to be truly wise is to act with empathy and respect for all beings.

Consider the ancient practice of sacrifice, where animals were often offered to the gods. While this ritual was seen as a form of reverence in ancient times, we can now look back at it through the lens of modern ethics and compassion. Aristotle might have argued that such practices, while rooted in ancient belief, could have also been an exercise in testing our virtue in relation to how we use power over other beings. Portman’s refusal to continue eating meat after witnessing the act of laser surgery on the chicken reflects this timeless moral struggle—the tension between the traditions we inherit and the ethical choices we must make as we develop a deeper understanding of compassion.

The act of witnessing suffering and responding to it with anger is not new to human history. One might look to the story of Socrates, who, when confronted with the injustice of the Athenian court, chose to speak out, even in the face of his own death. Socrates’ commitment to justice and the ethical treatment of all people was unwavering, much like Portman’s commitment to the life of the chicken. The anger Portman felt at the death of the chicken—though directed at a seemingly small event—sparked a profound change in her heart. It is this type of moral outrage—rooted in the desire to act justly—that has driven many great minds throughout history to question established systems and demand better treatment for those who cannot speak for themselves.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: how do we respond to suffering? Portman’s reaction to the chicken’s death is a reflection of how we might approach life with an ethical and compassionate eye. Her decision was not simply an emotional reaction; it was a deeply philosophical one, rooted in the realization that we, as humans, have a duty to preserve life and act with empathy. As the ancients would teach, to act with compassion and to make decisions that reflect justice is not only a matter of the mind but of the soul.

The lesson we can draw from Portman’s story is this: we must be vigilant in our understanding of suffering and how it affects the world around us. Each action we take—whether in the food we consume, the decisions we make, or the way we treat others—carries weight. Let us cultivate a deep empathy for the lives of others, whether human or animal, and recognize that every choice we make shapes the moral fabric of our world. In doing so, we honor the timeless wisdom of the ancients and live a life of virtue and justice, ensuring that we make choices that align with compassion and integrity.