I think another approach that's helpful is to start with an easy thought experiment:
What would you do if you won the lottery?
People can easily imagine and discuss what they would do in this situation. This shows that they don't have a principled objection to discussing things that haven't happened.
I think this is helpful because, often, when people hear someone say, "If X, then Y." they'll assume that the speaker is saying X is true. And as a matter of linguistic convention, they're often correct! Consider, for example, the mafia boss who says, "It sure would be a shame if something were to happen to your kneecaps."
I think this is a good point for good-faith philosophical discussions. But I can't say that those have much impact on, say, the number of animals on factory farms.
I think another approach that's helpful is to start with an easy thought experiment:
What would you do if you won the lottery?
People can easily imagine and discuss what they would do in this situation. This shows that they don't have a principled objection to discussing things that haven't happened.
I think this is helpful because, often, when people hear someone say, "If X, then Y." they'll assume that the speaker is saying X is true. And as a matter of linguistic convention, they're often correct! Consider, for example, the mafia boss who says, "It sure would be a shame if something were to happen to your kneecaps."
The lottery example helps defuse this concern.
I think this is a good point for good-faith philosophical discussions. But I can't say that those have much impact on, say, the number of animals on factory farms.