Modern Wisdom #103 - Cosmic Skeptic - Veganism, Atheism and Morality
Sep 16, 2019
In this engaging discussion, Alex O'Connor, aka Cosmic Skeptic, a YouTuber and Oxford student, shares his philosophical journey to veganism. He addresses the moral dilemmas of meat consumption and the emotional versus logical motivations behind dietary choices. The conversation explores the relationship between secularism and morality, arguing that ethical living doesn't solely depend on religion. Alex also reflects on the quest for community and social cohesion within both religious and atheistic frameworks, encouraging listeners to rethink their ethical beliefs.
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Minimizing Suffering
- O'Connor's morality centers on minimizing suffering, aligning with philosophical pessimists like Schopenhauer.
- Pleasure is viewed as the negation of pain, motivating actions based on preference.
Rawls and Veganism
- Apply John Rawls' veil of ignorance to animal welfare to understand veganism.
- If unaware of being human or animal, a rational actor would minimize potential suffering.
Preference vs. Suffering
- Alex O'Connor views veganism as minimizing suffering, not about preference alone.
- He disagrees with vegans who prioritize an animal's preference to live over its potential suffering.
