Firmly Held Opinions

‘I’m not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to facts.’ So opined the often acerbic Mark Twain.

Indeed, our propensity to mix facts and opinions is well established. Although we may know that an opinion may be based on fact; claiming a fact based on opinion is fallacious. Yet, we can all be guilty of such, can we not? Indeed, these blogpieces of mine are most likely full of opinions not based on facts.

Is this a problem? Maybe, maybe not. Having opinions, or views on subjects helps us gain clarity. Having clarity helps us make moral choices. Clarity helps us navigate the world.

Yet, holding on too dearly to an opinion can be a problem. It is when we grasp hold of an opinion and cling to it steadfastly that we create problems for ourselves and those around us.

It is the clinging that is the problem, not the opinion itself.

The first, and possibly clearest, problem with clinging to opinions is that in doing so we are almost compelled to disagree with someone with a different opinion. Continuing to adhere to our opinion is then likely to arouse an emotional response in both of us. In turn these emotions can lead to anger, and possibly even violence. All of this leads ultimately to a closed mind.

A second problem is that the opinions we hold may indicate culturally ingrained worldviews and belief systems. Hold onto these opinions too strongly means that we hide these worldviews and beliefs from ourselves. Holding beliefs rigidly stymies our critical thinking ability and thus our chance to examine where and how we come to hold certain beliefs.

Associated with this second problem is that if we hold onto our opinions too steadfastly then we can find it difficult to accept that the world is continually changing. Our learning potential becomes thwarted.

Perhaps the most damaging problem with clinging to our opinion is that we tend to then associate our opinion with what is “true.” We can easily tell ourselves that our opinions are “right” and that contrary opinions are “wrong.” We come then to associate our opinions with reality.

If we step back from our rigidity of thought we can recognise how deeply fixed we are to opinions, viewpoints, and belief systems. We can see it in ourselves and in others. Wider afield, we can see this inflexibility in larger systems, including geopolitics.

No wonder there are many “enemies” in the world.

As the English language developed the word opinion came to the language via Proto-Italic roots. The word opeje has the meaning of to choose. Intriguingly, opeje also meant to grab. It would seem that early speakers of what has become the English language knew the danger of opinions; they recognised that there was a danger in grasping onto opinions.

To recap.

Having opinions is not a problem.

Holding onto opinions rigidly is.

For my own part, I do find holding opinions lightly to be a difficult undertaking.