do you believe that everyone truly should have the right to their own opinion? even if it differs from yours?

Question

i really believe this. even if i disagree 100% with the other side of an argument.

i've just had a 'heated debate' with my friend, who says that when people believe something just cos they read it somewhere/saw it somewhere/or were told 2nd hand then they don't have the right to argue the case because they're not informed enough. so basically, people shouldn't really have the right to express these opinons.

i think she also has the right to her opinion, but that she's wrong! she thinks i'm too wishy-washy!

we agreed to hand the decision over to you guys...and we'll accept your answer to our argument! what do you reckon?!

Answer 1

It's not so much a right as a biological imperative. Whether or not people should have an opinion, they're going to. It's just a fact that's easier if accepted. What I think your friend might have been debating however, was the merits of debating an opinion vs. a case. It's not that they haven't the right to debate the issue, they just don't have enough information to do it very well. For one thing, propaganda is often emotionally based and inflammatory, which is infuriating when you've come to the discussion with your research done. Imagine two politicians debating who's a better educational reform candidate. One Politician says "Sir, according to congressional records, you've voted against every educational reform bill on the table." and the second politician says, "Oh yeah? Well, I heard you eat babies!"

Opinions have a lesser place in a good debate than facts.

Answer 2

Well in my opinion I think if people don't know 100 percent of what they are talking about then they shouldn't argue so passionately. To me i want to try to understand both sides but you have to use logic to come to the final conclusion. Just because you read something somewhere or see it on the news doesn't exactly make it true...You have to research the answers and "search" for your own results. I agree with her in some ways but you shouldn't not have an opinion if you don't know all the facts..it should be up to her to try to educate you in the most peace full logical manner possible. without criticizing you for ur opinion till she can see ur side and respond with logical thought.

Answer 3

I think whether or not they have a right to their own opinion, they will have their own opinion and there's not much you can do to change it. You can explain your side of the story, you can present better evidence, but if they are set in their ways, they will tell you to piss off. I don't bother thinking about it in terms of rights, I just accept it as part of life.

Are there wrong opinions? Well, yes. Consider people who refuse vaccines. Usually, there's no good reason for doing that unless you have a medical condition that specifically prevents you from taking that vaccine. Consider people who take antibiotics for colds. It's not only an utter waste of antibiotics, it can lead to the creation of new and more resistant infectious bacteria. Is there anything we can do about it? Not usually. You just gotta live on somehow.

Answer 4

I have often found in life that people that are the most opinionated are most likely the least informed.

If people think you are a fool it is better to say nothing then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Your friend might have a small point about being ill informed on subject matter but a lot of things change and opinions vary but weather you are correct or not in your opinion you are still entitled to it and" NO ONE "can take that from you.

Answer 5

Yes--that is one of the things that we should hold to with a firm grip---our right to disagree and to allow the other person that right--it is through hard debate of these differences that we have to dig deep to find the underlying reasons we feel the way we do on a lot of things---it tests us and our beliefs---and in the course of debate --at times we learn something new--a new view point--a point that we didn't know or have never considered before--so it is good to air differences---it is when they pass the point of debate and get personal and vendictive and hateful that things need to be halted and backed away from---and there are those who feel their opinion is the only truth and will go to any length to prove this ---any length---these are the hard edges to the positive side of differences and debate

Answer 6

Everyone is entitled to there own opinion. Even if the facts where the same. Two different people can read/hear/see the same information and still not agree as to the meaning. It's ridicules to think you can change someones opinion that strongly believes there right.

Your friend is wrong!!!!

Answer 7

I think anyone has the right to their opinion, even if they are uninformed. Hopefully by entering a debate they will learn a new perspective or new information. Maybe it will inspire them to seek out more information on the topic to make their argument stronger, and it may just make them change their opinion. All opinions are worthy of discussion for that reason, so we can all become enlightened in the process.

Answer 8

I do believe that everyone is entitled to their oppinion, and I try to remember that in the midst of a debate. However, I do see where your friend is comming from. For me, I love nothing more than a great agrument of oppinion. I love to hear other peoples thoughts, it gives me the chance to re-evaulate my own thoughts and many times I try to incorporate other oppinions into my own. On the other hand there is nothing worse than someone whose thoughts are taken solely from other sources. Someone that sees something on t.v. or hears someone elses oppinion and takes it for fact. I think that if you should research your thoughts and find your own truth within what you find from many sources, this is what makes your oppinion well rounded and your own. So, if she thinks that your wishy-washy then let her and remember that there are some oppinions that are better left ignored.

Answer 9

It is very true that MOST people believe what they are exposed to. I am an American who was raised abroad and I see the clear difference between my friends and me in discussions about anything from politics to sex. So your friend is right on that point.

That being said, I do believe that educated people - those who read and expose themselves to many trains of thought - do make up their own minds and have their own opinions. Heated debates between intelligent people is a thing of beauty. The key is to be able to agree to disagree. That's proof of intelligence.

Answer 10

As is often attributed to Voltaire "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

I don't think people should try and argue a point about which they are poorly informed as they have no strong basis for the opinion, but I agree, I 100% support people's right to have an opinion and express it, even if I don't like it.