Confronting Opinions

Subject:

Comments:
: : (Topic on message board)'Everyone is entitled to an opinion.' Do you think that people who use this excuse when stating an opinion should then be expected to follow up with a logical defense of the opinion? : : <a href="http://www.youthink.com/forums.asp?page_num=1&action=read&lp=0&ct=0&q_id=331420">Read Thread Here</a> : : --- --- --- --- --- : : What are your thoughts? : : --- --- --- --- --- : : Personally, I think it depends on the person making the statement, the context, and the spirit of the communication. If I asked a friend for thoughts on a particular situation, I might expect to explore the reasons for the opinion, especially if that friend shared a point of view that I had not especially considered. If I saw a comic making jokes on television, I might not read any deeper. Either way, if it were a matter of interest for me, I would take note of what was stated and add it to my collection of "mental research" on the subject. : : J : : I agree with the above. Did not have time to read the link. Regarding your first criterion, the source of the opinion, here are a few examples: : 1. If you know someone thinks things through well, you might challenge them on their views (a) to explore their train of thought for possible flaws or (b) because you already know enough about their logic to see ostensible flaws in it. But beware, in such a case, the challenge will surely end up back in your court, so it's a good idea to make sure you have thought your position through and considered every conceivable objection to your theory (and your response and the next objection, etc.) before challenging. : 2. Same as above, except that you know you are ill-equipped to challenge said person, but you challenge anyway--just to learn. Requires humility and respect conveyed in your challenge to humiliation in the end, though. : 3. If you know someone tends not to think something through well, but WOULD like to have help doing so, you might challenge them kindly--just to facilitate thought, which said person will appreciate. (I do this a LOT--though I am still working on the "kindly" part.) ;-) : 4. If someone tends not to think things through and does NOT want to to be bothered with demands to do so, perhaps one should respect them enough to leave them alone (unless they are in danger in some way as a result of their avoidance). : 5. If said person tends to gets defensive and/or combative, but with no real ammunition, so to speak, I would not recommend challenging such ignorance at all (unless you have no life, tons of time, no propensity for frustration, and/or just want to intellectually beat up a weaker person). I like to just smile and say, "How interesting! or "Really!" (Again, I am not yet perfect in never picking the wrong battles.) ;-)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: