Debating veganism: How to change someone's opinion - 6 Minute English

Improve your English vocabulary and speaking with 6 Minute English! Veganism is a controversial issue with strong opinions in favour and against. However, these opinion are less based on facts than you might think. What are they based on then, and how can we convince someone to change an opinion?
Dan and Rob find out and teach you new vocabulary.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬:
What makes you happy?

Improving your memory

High heels: fashion or oppression?

Are food allergies more common now?

𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲
𝐟𝐚𝐝
something that is popular but only for a short time

𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦
something that has become accepted by most people as normal

𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝
a situation that causes people to divide into two groups with opposing views

𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥
something that society thinks is wrong or not acceptable

𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥
relates to things that are not as important as the main argument but are connected to it / situated on the edge

𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭
good or good enough

[Image: Getty Images]

#BBCLearningEnglish #6MinuteEnglish #LearnEnglish

[mariamkamal]

Awesome episode.
Vegetarian diet has four types:
1- A vegan: a diet that excludes all animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and other dairy products.
2- A lacto-vegetarian: vegetarian diet that excludes meat, poultry, eggs, fish but includes dairy products.
3- A lacto-ovo-vegetarian: vegetarian diet that excludes meat, poultry and fish but includes eggs and dairy products.
4- A Flexitarian: semi-vegetarian diet with a focus on vegetarian food with occasional meat consumption.

[irenefang]

Thank you BBC❤
My note while listening
Veganism is a radical lifestyle choice in order to improve our health which also frees up some space for growing food and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This idea is gradually moving to the mainstream.

The debate in relation to following a meat-free diet touches on the belief based on our values to decide this issue is moral or immoral.

To persuade someone come to your side, you should focus on peripheral things which make us feel connected. For example, if you are not a vegan, you should respect his or her choice as a decent human being

[GrantCareerCoaching]

This is awesome. I teach English online, and have been wanting to incorporate "debates" into my classes. Keep studying hard everyone! You can do it 👍👍👍👍

[aymanel-bahrawy]

I'm one of the omnivores but i should respect the others opinions according to descent human being.
Great lesson.. ❤

[Kat]

Thank you so much for your 6 minute programs. 😍 I am on the way to improve my English! By the way, I've been thinking about becoming a vegetarian for the last few weeks. Now I accidentally stumble upon this video. Is this a sign? 😀

[diegato]

The better 6 minutes of day....Thank you

[candytwiggytwist]

I wouldn't say they "can't" eat something, most o the time the diet or the way of living, is a choice so would be better to describe it as: "they do not eat" something. Can't eat certain food someone who is for example allergic to a product.

[AhmedOmar-vwwr]

Be as you love and respect what I love ^_^

[vohoangpham]

Thank you for 6 Minutes English, Now I can understand real English in news, chat stuff more 75% keep working hard to master my English
Thanks so much.

[jamaltb]

As an Arabian we mostly eat vegetables and not depending on meat but fish is important for Potasium ..so thts why Islamic diet is the best we don't have infectious diseases in our communities such western and Europe

[hienpham]

I like the image of this week program. So creative and suitable for this topic!!!

[rubenmatematicas]

In the transcript, the word “belief” is missing in Vocabulary.

By the way, great issue!

[frutosdignos]

Food is one personal election not one razón to divide people, foods are interesting to share Moments and Moments are most important that whichever food.

[jahidhasan-mzoy]

Transcript 

Note: This is not a word for word transcript

Dan
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm Dan and joining me is Rob.

Rob
Hello.

Dan
Here at BBC Learning English, we're always discussing diets.

Rob
I am on a sea-food diet. When I see food, I just have to eat it!

Dan
I suppose there's no chance of converting you to a vegan diet, is there? That seems be the most talked about food fad at the moment – a fad is something that is popular but only for a short time.

Rob
Of course, veganism – that's not eating or using any products that come from animals – may be more than a fad. It could be a lifestyle that improves our health and the planet. And it could be here to stay. But personally, me becoming a vegan would take some persuading.

Dan
I'm sure it would.  And in this programme we'll be discussing the debate about veganism and how it's sometimes difficult to change people's minds. But first a question to answer. We've mentioned what a vegan eats but what about a lacto-ovo-vegetarian? Which one of these items can they eat? Is it:

a) pork          

b) fish or

c) cheese?

Rob

I'll say b) they can eat fish.

Dan
Well, you’ll have to wait until the end of the programme to find out. But now back to veganism. According to some national surveys, there are now around 3.5 million full-time vegans in the UK... and the number is growing!

Rob
And what was recently a radical lifestyle choice is slowly moving into the mainstream – or has become accepted by most people as normal.

Dan

Advocates of veganism say their healthy lifestyle would also free up space and resources for growing food and it would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Rob
Yeah, but come on Dan. Having a meat-free diet means you might not get all the nutrients you need.

Dan
Well, this is all part of the debate, Rob. There's always two sides to an argument and it's something that's been discussed on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme. They spoke to Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock, a senior lecturer in organisational psychology at London's City University, who explained why views about veganism are so polarised – that 'means causing people to divide into two groups with opposing views'.

Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock
This issue touches on personal beliefs, and beliefs always trump facts and so, often when we talk about beliefs, we're touching on important values. Values are the things that guide our opinion over what's right versus what's wrong. And so whenever people argue over whether it's right or wrong to eat meat, they are in fact not debating the facts around this issue, they're actually debating the beliefs about what's moral or immoral about this.

Dan
So it seems in the whole debate about veganism we are basing our views on beliefs. A belief is something we feel is true or real. Our beliefs are based on our values – those are the things we think are right and wrong.

Rob
And when we argue over the rights and wrongs of veganism, we base it on our values – not hard facts. We talk about our view on what is immoral – so what society thinks is wrong or not acceptable. But basically, there is no right or wrong answer.

Dan
That's why we need facts, Rob.

Rob
So Dan, what can I do if I want to win you over to becoming an omnivore, like me?

Dan
According to Dr Jutta, there are two main routes to winning someone over: a direct, fact-based approach or a 'peripheral route', which might be more effective. Let's hear her explain how it works.

Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock
If I'm working with you and I'm trying to get you to come round to my side, I might not focus on the central facts. I might focus on the peripheral stuff around how I'm constructing my argument. I'd look for ways of how they overlap as people, like what do they have in common? And that's a way to debate an issue such as this controversial one in a way to get people to feel connected to each other and to actually feel that they value each other as decent human beings.

Rob
Interesting! This is a more subtle way of winning an argument. She says we should focus on the peripheral stuff – these are the things that are not as important as the main argument but are connected to it.

Dan
So we could say we're looking for common ground – things that both sides agree on or at least understand. Dr Jutta talked about making both sides feel connected. And it's a good point. Even if you don't want to be a vegan, you should respect someone's choice to be one.

Rob
Yes, it's all about valuing someone as a decent human being. Decent means 'good and having good moral standards'. Like us, Dan!

Dan

Well, they're wise words, Rob! Of course, it would be morally wrong – immoral – not to give you the answer to our quiz question. Earlier I asked which one of these items can a lacto-ovo-vegetarian eat.

Rob
I said b) fish.

Dan
Sorry, no – that's something they can't eat – but they can eat cheese. A lacto-ovo-vegetarian is a person who eats vegetables, eggs, and dairy products but does not eat meat.

Rob
No meat! No steak! How can they enjoy eating?!

Dan
Rob, remember as a decent human beings, we respect all views here.

Rob
Just joking – but now I'm deadly serious about reviewing some of the vocabulary we've discussed today.

Dan

OK. Our first word was fad. A fad is something that is popular but only for a short time.

Rob
Next, we that is mainstream has become accepted by most people as normal.

Dan
Then we had polarised – that describes a situation that causes people to divide into two groups with opposing views.

Rob
A belief is something we feel is true or real. And immoral describes something that society thinks is wrong or not acceptable.

Dan
We also mentionedperipheral,  which relates to things that are not as important as the main argument, but are connected to it. It also means situated on the edge.

Rob
And finally,  decent means good or good enough.

Dan
Don't forget you can learn more English with us on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.

Rob
Bye for now.

Dan

[jonathan_____]

Excelent! Thank you for share these videos they are really helpful to learn and improve my English :)

[salsabilmzeh]

Veganism is a controversial issue with strong opinions in favour and against. However, these opinion are less based on facts than you might think. What are they based on? And how can we convince someone to change an opinion? Dan and Rob find out and teach you new vocabulary.

This week's question
Which one of these items can a lacto-ovo-vegetarian eat?

a) pork

b) fish or

c) cheese

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
fad
something that is popular but only for a short time

mainstream
something that has become accepted by most people as normal

polarised
a situation that causes people to divide into two groups with opposing views

immoral
something that society thinks is wrong or not acceptable

peripheral
relates to things that are not as important as the main argument but are connected to it / situated on the edge

decent
good or good enough

Transcript
Note: This is not a word for word transcript

Dan
Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm Dan and joining me is Rob.

Rob
Hello.

Dan
Here at BBC Learning English, we're always discussing diets.

Rob
I am on a sea-food diet. When I see food, I just have to eat it!

Dan
I suppose there's no chance of converting you to a vegan diet, is there? That seems be the most talked about food fad at the moment – a fad is something that is popular but only for a short time.

Rob
Of course, veganism – that's not eating or using any products that come from animals – may be more than a fad. It could be a lifestyle that improves our health and the planet. And it could be here to stay. But personally, me becoming a vegan would take some persuading.

Dan
I'm sure it would. And in this programme we'll be discussing the debate about veganism and how it's sometimes difficult to change people's minds. But first a question to answer. We've mentioned what a vegan eats but what about a lacto-ovo-vegetarian? Which one of these items can they eat? Is it:

a) pork

b) fish or

c) cheese?

Rob
I'll say b) they can eat fish.

Dan
Well, you’ll have to wait until the end of the programme to find out. But now back to veganism. According to some national surveys, there are now around 3.5 million full-time vegans in the UK... and the number is growing!

Rob
And what was recently a radical lifestyle choice is slowly moving into the mainstream – or has become accepted by most people as normal.

Dan
Advocates of veganism say their healthy lifestyle would also free up space and resources for growing food and it would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Rob
Yeah, but come on Dan. Having a meat-free diet means you might not get all the nutrients you need.

Dan
Well, this is all part of the debate, Rob. There's always two sides to an argument and it's something that's been discussed on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme. They spoke to Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock, a senior lecturer in organisational psychology at London's City University, who explained why views about veganism are so polarised – that 'means causing people to divide into two groups with opposing views'.

Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock
This issue touches on personal beliefs, and beliefs always trump facts and so, often when we talk about beliefs, we're touching on important values. Values are the things that guide our opinion over what's right versus what's wrong. And so whenever people argue over whether it's right or wrong to eat meat, they are in fact not debating the facts around this issue, they're actually debating the beliefs about what's moral or immoral about this.

Dan
So it seems in the whole debate about veganism we are basing our views on beliefs. A belief is something we feel is true or real. Our beliefs are based on our values – those are the things we think are right and wrong.

Rob
And when we argue over the rights and wrongs of veganism, we base it on our values – not hard facts. We talk about our view on what is immoral – so what society thinks is wrong or not acceptable. But basically, there is no right or wrong answer.

Dan
That's why we need facts, Rob.

Rob
So Dan, what can I do if I want to win you over to becoming an omnivore, like me?

Dan
According to Dr Jutta, there are two main routes to winning someone over: a direct, fact-based approach or a 'peripheral route', which might be more effective. Let's hear her explain how it works.

Dr Jutta Tobias Mortlock
If I'm working with you and I'm trying to get you to come round to my side, I might not focus on the central facts. I might focus on the peripheral stuff around how I'm constructing my argument. I'd look for ways of how they overlap as people, like what do they have in common? And that's a way to debate an issue such as this controversial one in a way to get people to feel connected to each other and to actually feel that they value each other as decent human beings.

Rob
Interesting! This is a more subtle way of winning an argument. She says we should focus on the peripheral stuff – these are the things that are not as important as the main argument but are connected to it.

Dan
So we could say we're looking for common ground – things that both sides agree on or at least understand. Dr Jutta talked about making both sides feel connected. And it's a good point. Even if you don't want to be a vegan, you should respect someone's choice to be one.

Rob
Yes, it's all about valuing someone as a decent human being. Decent means 'good and having good moral standards'. Like us, Dan!

Dan
Well, they're wise words, Rob! Of course, it would be morally wrong – immoral – not to give you the answer to our quiz question. Earlier I asked which one of these items can a lacto-ovo-vegetarian eat.

Rob
I said b) fish.

Dan
Sorry, no – that's something they can't eat – but they can eat cheese. A lacto-ovo-vegetarian is a person who eats vegetables, eggs, and dairy products but does not eat meat.

Rob
No meat! No steak! How can they enjoy eating?!

Dan
Rob, remember as a decent human beings, we respect all views here.

Rob
Just joking – but now I'm deadly serious about reviewing some of the vocabulary we've discussed today.

Dan
OK. Our first word was fad. A fad is something that is popular but only for a short time.

Rob
Next, we mentioned mainstream. Something that is mainstream has become accepted by most people as normal.

Dan
Then we had polarised – that describes a situation that causes people to divide into two groups with opposing views.

Rob
A belief is something we feel is true or real. And immoral describes something that society thinks is wrong or not acceptable.

Dan
We also mentionedperipheral, which relates to things that are not as important as the main argument, but are connected to it. It also means situated on the edge.

Rob
And finally, decent means good or good enough.

Dan
Don't forget you can learn more English with us on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.

Rob
Bye for now.

Dan
Goodbye

[mamymimma]

My mom's blood tests have been perfect since I got her in an ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet, which is mine too 😊

[samarrashed]

Thanks alot, it's amazing
But where can I find the script ?

[gabrielaledezma]

I ' m vegetarian since 2011 and I'm very happy

[joemoore]

I stopped the video as soon as he made the ridiculous claim that vegans are only vegan because of their bias moral belief system, ignoring the 'facts'.. just another attack on veganism