all opinions are equally acceptable or correct?

Question

Does the mere fact that we all have different ethical opinions mean that all opinions are equally acceptable or correct?

Answer 1

While it may be true that everyone has opinions, and those opinions originate on the mere chemicals and electrical stimuli in our brains...

...still..

some opinions really do stink !!

Answer 2

Reality is an absolute, but we're all so completely twisted in our perceptions by our beliefs, values, and experiences that our interpretations often have little or nothing to do with what's really at the core.

We have three options to find the opinion that is best:
One, we figure out whose opinion is the most popular and assume that they wouldn't have a following if they weren't right. This usually doesn't work so well.
Two, we find an expert who seems best able to judge the situation, like a political leader, Dalai Lama, or the stoned guy on the corner who claims to really know what's goin' down. This also doesn't work very well.
Three, we can do our best to rid ourselves of all relevant assumptions, prejudices, and knowledge not personally discovered, look at the situation with a fresh and unclouded mind, and spend our lives dedicated to the unmasking of the absolute truths of the universe. You might try to sprout wings and turn lavender while you're at it.

In the end, it's hard to say whose opinion is closest to reality (though it's generally easy to assume whose ideas are furthest from it), so you might as well respect any reasonably rendered opinion on a particular subject, but only one (if you're lucky) will ever be truth in reality.

Answer 3

I guess it depends on what we/you are talking about. Many of the answers don't relate directly to your question, which specifically mentioned "ethical opinions". So, first, we have to get that straight.

Ethics is a general term for what is often described as the "science (study) of morality". In philosophy, ethical behavior is that which is "good" or "right." The Western tradition of ethics is sometimes called moral philosophy.

From Wikipedia:
"An ethical decision making view requires everyone involved to see ethics as a process outside the body, and morality as something instinctive and within."

Thus, you may have an internal (moral) opinion on what is right and wrong, but a final external (ethical) decision must be independent of that view, as it involves so many other parties with conflicting opinions. That is why many places have Ethical Committees to oversee them and keep them from making unethical choices/decisions/actions.

So, yes, I think we are all entitled to our own opinions about a lot of things, and should have the right to express them. But let's remember there is a difference between opinion, ethics, morality, law, religious belief, etc. Thanks for the rant time!

Answer 4

well not all opinions are equal because some are based on fact and some on personal experience which as you well know are not always based on reality or truth. so no not all are correct or acceptable but in saying that we are also a society of free thinkers and free speech so our opinions do count if not just for us then there are others out there who feel the same and thats ok...if we speak to each other respectfully about our opinions there maybe a chance to change things as we see it but if all we do is scream, accuse and ridicule another for believing the way they do nothing will be accomplished except alienating others. its kind of like the law making pot illegal....many feel its wrong to make pot illegal citing all kinds of data and the feelings of others who feel its not harmful and no matter your opinion on the use of pot the law is the truth so your opinion is neither acceptable or correct because its isn't the truth

Answer 5

No everyone who has an opinion is not correct or equally acceptable. If a person asks, "Should I go kill myself?" and someone says yeah go do it right now, that isn't correct nor does it make it acceptable. It is usually up to the person asking the question and if they agree or not with the person who is giving their opinion.

Answer 6

There are many branches of ethics (deontology, teleology, etc), that specify different frameworks for ethical analysis. Averyone is constantly trying to work through an ethical question by shifting from one framework to another: like is it ethical to steal to feed a starving child? So all opinions are not equal, but can be better or worse, depending on what framework your operating in.

Answer 7

First of all, we don't all have different ethical opinions. There are a finite number of opinions that are even possible on a given ethical question. The majority opinion is usually the best - but not always.

Answer 8

Correct

Answer 9

Acceptability and correctness will be judged based on the culture, time, environment. There are so many standards which one can use to judge. Once you pick a standard, you can make judgements. How to pick standards? There are many sets of standards available. Who produces them? For example laws are a set of standards. A religious group may proffer a set of standards. In tribal societies there were probably not a lot of competing sets of standards. So not so many choices and life was easier. Without a supreme judge or known best set of standards universally accepted [which is unavailable] we just all have to compete in the marketplace (of standards and ideas).
And go with standards that are heavily subscribed. You know, like democracy or whatever.

Answer 10

Your opinions are judged by the society around you, based on their ethical opinions. So the acceptability of your opinion is relative to some sort of average or consensus of the opinions of others. Your opinion may be demonstrably incorrect (i.e. it can be shown to be factually wrong) but whatever the case, you're still entitled to hold your own opinion, and it's not wrong to do so

Answer 11

NO!
Everyone has a right to their own opinion but that does not make every opinion equal.
quick and obvious example, Einstein had opinions on how the Universe works, so does a 6 year old. are both their opinions equal?