Why are opinions usually qualified?

Question

People seem to resent an opinion expressed in a declarative manner, taking it as an invitation to argue or debate. Consequently, we tend to venture, rather than declare, our opinions. For example, instead of saying "child molesters should be horse whipped," people tend to write "child molesters should be horse whipped, in my opinion." Putting it that way seems to confer some protection against being challenged or getting into an argument. It would be better if people expressed their opinions confidently, in a declarative manner, in my opinion.

Answer 1

But!, in my opinion,...I do see you're point! But if ya look at the last 3 words of you're question, ya just did it yourself.

I think you were, perhaps ( oops!, There's another one!) just trying to prove you're point. Nothing wrong with that.

Here's why we do it, I think! Cause' we are trying to acknowledge the fact, and the right, that other people may not necessarily endorse or agree with what we are saying.

If we make an across the board statement, that could end up very uneffectual, cause' then the majority of the people may pull back and go, Ummhh!

And think they're back has been pinned against a wall.

There are surprising little things about human nature that are predictable, I think! But one of them you can count on, seems to be, that the more and the stronger you want someone to do something for you, the more likely they are not to want to!

This is true. That's why I've said many times, don't necessarily go into a situation wanting people to like you!

Just go in cold, hoping they will want to please you! If you do that, they will! Same thing.

Answer 2

Because opinions are just that, opinions. If they were facts, you would state them as facts. Perhaps people believe that others missed their elementary lessons and have to be told what is opinion as opposed to fact. I state my opinions that way, so I guess I really don't have room to talk.