His girlfriend asked him to debate a vegan. This is how it went.

TODAY'S VIDEO:

In today's episode of Debate a Vegan we're at UC Davis. James' girlfriend, who is vegan, asked him to join me at the table to debate whether or not veganism is a moral obligation. We had an interesting discussion where we talked about a range of different topics such as animal intelligence, social Darwinism and backyard eggs. #Veganism #Morality #UCDavis

📱 Connect:

🎙️ The Disclosure Podcast:

Huge thank you to @hudsontarlow for editing/videography!

ABOUT ED:

Ed Winters is a vegan educator, best-selling author, public speaker and content creator. Ed has spoken at over 1/3 of UK universities and at 6 Ivy league colleges, including as a guest lecturer at Harvard University in both 2019 and 2020. He has given speeches across the world, including at the University of Cambridge, EPFL, Google NYC and Google Zürich. In early 2019 he gave 2 TEDx talks, surpassing a total of 2 million views online. His speech “You Will Never Look at Your Life in the Same Way Again” has 35 million accumulative views online and has been given to thousands of students across UK universities.

[ed.winters]

In today's episode of Debate a Vegan we're at UC Davis. James' girlfriend, who is vegan, asked him to join me at the table to debate whether or not veganism is a moral obligation. Let me know how you think the conversation with James went!

[jamesgeezee]

Hey Ed, it's me, James!

I really enjoyed our conversation and honestly didn't think you would post it, so it was a fun surprise seeing it this morning.

At this point in time, I don't eat meat, dairy, or non pasture raised eggs anymore, and it's partially because kind and fair people like you introduced me to the issue in a clear, uncharged way.

I think that a lot of people, when they have to think about the moral justifications in their lives, either try to build their values around their actions or feel that they cannot mend the rift between the two. I was the latter, and felt like it was impossible for me to care enough to live by unhypocritical moral standards. I think a lot of people feel the same way, that doing something good means exerting emotional energy to care a lot. And with this belief, it becomes easier to accept yourself as a bad person, because you don't believe you can care.

But you don't need to feel guilt and pain and watch videos of baby chickens dying and cows having their throats slit to do something moral. You're allowed to just live in a way you decide is right because you reach that conclusion through deliberate thought. It's at least something that helps me do things I don't think I have enough compassion for, and might help someone else too.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of you, thanks again Ed.

[coelila]

It takes a lot of courage and maturity to admit your faults and even say “I don’t know.” This man is obviously open to conversation and is perceptive. I feel this conversation will stay with him and influence his future choices. I have a lot of respect for his responses. He’s well on his way to veganism.

[DebugYourBrain]

I find this to be the most common response when I interview people.

1) I don't want animals to be abused.
2) I realize I'm paying for them to be abused.
3) It's a horrible industry
4) not sure that I'm going to change.

[danielpilz]

Ed is probably the only person on earth who can receive a handshake from the same person he just called willfully ignorant to their face.

[vinnyhorapeti]

Ed in 2014 : I will never go vegan I love kfc

Ed's girlfriend: I am gonna start this man's whole career

[jhunt]

The guy saying "It's not morally justified, it's practically justified" sums up the attitudes of a lot of carnists.

[elremito]

He’s exactly where I used to be: he’s already a vegan but he doesn’t know it yet!

[eiya]

This guy is so much like me before I went vegan, recognising the reality of the situation, agreeing with everything in principle but just not doing it. The day I realised I didn't need to keep eating meat just because I'd always done it and it was convenient and easy and everyone else was doing it was the day I changed for the better. I hope he makes the change as well.

[alisiademi]

An honest lad but a lad who certainly hasn't watched a baby cow stolen and killed, baby male chicks ground up alive, the faces of animals waiting outside a slaughterhouse, ect.

[wyliehj]

I thought exactly like this dude a year ago or so, justified eating chicken since it was healthier/more ethical than eating cows and pigs too. So glad I met my vegan girlfriend, she really inspired me a lot to Make the transition. Happy to say I’ve been fully vegan since the start of 2022!

[carma]

I think this conversation shows, that sometimes it is necessary to gain your own experience to fully understand the circumstances of animal exploitation. I was vegetarian for a long time and was convinced, that i was doing enough to avoid harm. Than we decided to get backyard chickens because we did not want to support the egg industry anymore. After a few months we became vegan because we realised that it was impossible to have eggs and not do any harm to the chickens in the long run. Chickens only lay eggs for a few years, maybe five or six, but they can live up to 15 years. First i thought no problem, we can hatch our own chicks so we'll have always some fresh hens. And this worked suprisingly fine except the half were roosters. Although we live on a farm and have plenty of space it was not possible to keep all of the roosters and it was quite difficult to find a decent new home for them. So what i'm saying is, if you want eggs you'll find yourself sooner or later killing the supernumerary roosters. This turns out to be a tragedy because what you experienced by having your own animals, is that every one of them is an individual. Chickens are very social and really fascinating creatures and you shouldn't underestimate them.

[Batooony]

If a year ago, someone told me I'm about to stop eating meat for the rest of my life, I'd probably have a panic attack. If you told me back then I'll be calling myself vegan I'd probably cringe and tell you "nope lol".
I remember buying hand lotion back in the day and I have put it back on the shelf, just because it had vegan sign on it. I wasn't some vegan hater but for some reason I didn't want to have anything to do with veganism. It's sad to see people dismiss veganism "just because" but I understand the process. I was that person, but now I can't imagine living any other way.

[rachelb]

I remember when I became a vegan, I said EXACTLY what Ed said at the end, that I felt such a disconnect between my actions and my beliefs. My partner turned to me and said “well why don’t you stop then?” I quit meat that day, quit eggs and dairy about a month later, and am continuing my journey every day to better align my actions with my beliefs. It’s so much harder, soooo much harder, but I think it’s worth it. If I died today I wouldn’t have the same regrets on my shoulders, I feel lighter and more aligned with my values.

[Spatzenzunge]

He just needs a couple more vegan friends I feel.

[gayleoverly]

This is what a grown up conversation looks like. Refreshing

[aaronmerkel]

He would choose plant-based over an animal, but would choose an animal if he was stuck in the woods hunting berries. So why is he eating animals? He ain't in the woods.

[alicianichols]

I really enjoy watching the debates where the other person is responsive like this and is willing to admit when they’re wrong. I’m working on becoming vegan at the moment. It’s difficult because I live with my parents and don’t buy the groceries, but I’m doing the best I can because of what you’ve shown me.

[FixdalOK]

Last time I was this early, we could still get B12 from dirty vegetables.

[benjaminfuenzalida]

I used to do vegan activism a few years ago. I wish I had your potential for arguing back then. Fortunately I found your channel and fell in love with it, it's really inspiring and makes me wanna do some activism again, you're very patient while discussing with people who notoriously has a way different point of view than yours, and that's fully respectable.

Thanks for being a light in a world that's dominated by the lack of empathy. Cheers from Chile!