That guy clearly asked you those questions in the wrong order.
Do you believe killing animals for food is OK?
Killing animals for food is the same as eating babies!
Do you believe killing babies for food is OK?
… is obviously going to activate biases leading to the defense of killing animals for food, whether by denying they are equivalent or claiming to accept killing children for food. Thus the chance of persuading someone eating babies is morally acceptable depends on how strongly you argue the second point.
However...
Do you believe killing babies for food is OK?
Killing animals for food is the same as eating babies!
Do you believe killing animals for food is OK?
… leads to the opposite bias, as if the listener cannot refute your second point they must convert to vegetarianism or visibly contradict themselves.
That guy clearly asked you those questions in the wrong order.
Do you believe killing animals for food is OK?
Killing animals for food is the same as eating babies!
Do you believe killing babies for food is OK?
… is obviously going to activate biases leading to the defense of killing animals for food, whether by denying they are equivalent or claiming to accept killing children for food. Thus the chance of persuading someone eating babies is morally acceptable depends on how strongly you argue the second point.
However...
Do you believe killing babies for food is OK?
Killing animals for food is the same as eating babies!
Do you believe killing animals for food is OK?
… leads to the opposite bias, as if the listener cannot refute your second point they must convert to vegetarianism or visibly contradict themselves.