What Do you Think Determines The Validity of an Opinion? Not an Opinion Based On Facts?

Question

Thanks Timaeus.

Montana, Essentially Trust?

Thanks Third P, is Trust Ultimately Dependent On Culture?

So, Valac Gypsy, if Someone "Looks" Like an Authority, or is Vouched for by a Trusted Source, Then Opinion is True and More than an Assumption? K, Hopefully Truth.

Sorry, Valac Gypsy, if I wasn't Clear.

Answer 1

Validity as in the "process" of determing the logical correctness of some opinion? As in the validity of an opinion based on logic rather than facts? If so, the "truth" of the opinion or the accuracy with which the opinion characterizes the real world may not the issue. The "validity" of an opinion is given by correct adherence to logical and proper reasoning principles; a perfectly valid conclusion can have no descriptive accuracy at all. An opinion may be valid and not correspond with reality, in this sense; fault will lie with assumptions and not the reasoning process itself.

Is this what you meant by validity? Or, do you simply mean truth, the property of an opinion being correct or true in terms of conforming with reality, or do you refer to the value of a particular opinion?

EDIT: Thanx Valac Gypsy, for the compliment :-)

I don't want to get too tied up in semantics here....But, let me just say that "validity", generally or loosely, refers to the property of something being true, correct, in conformity with reality. Therefore, in layman's terms, divorced from specific disciplinary usages, validity may indeed be equated with truth....

I wasn't sure if you were using validity to refer to logic, truth, or the value of an opinion. So, that was MY mistake. If I would have just thought about the simple definition of "validity", there would be no mistake. Definitions differ, especially within the discipline in which I work and am most familiar...so, I just over-thought the semantics. NOT a problem with you being unclear, at all.

Anyhow....so, what then determines the "truth" or validity of an opinion; one not based on facts?

Not completely dissimilar to Valac Gypsy's contention:

An expressed opinion about someone or something is only true or valid if it entirely encompasses the reality or subjective circumstances of that individual or the "thing" in question. Without facts, this doesn't seem possible, in my mind. Something not based on facts can not be true and can only be deemed a tentatively held and expressible point of view; at best, a pressumptuous *belief*. Validity or truth or even an opinion, intellectually held, must be discussed alongside facts.

Answer 2

First, I'd like to admit I admire your intelligence. You know many words that most children your age wouldn't, and your writing skills are pretty good. I'm not a parent but I do take care of children that aren't my own nearly every other day. I have met children who are much smarter than most adults, even hearing of some who became celebrities like Thomas Horn. Then there are children, mostly who are living in bad situations, who aren't as smart as their classmates. In certain events, a child's opinion is very important; the aforementioned children are models for my photography and often I let them choose their expressions, poses, and wardrobes. It's their opinion that makes them happy, so I take that to mind. In other events, especially at school, teachers and principals aren't fond of the children being smarter than themselves and would use the age factor as an advantage in winning an argument they knew they were wrong in. It's just a matter of how accepting an adult is of a child and vice versa.

Answer 3

I believe the validity of an opinion to be based on its groundedness in verifiable results and positive attitudes. It must accord with known facts, even if it is formulated independent of facts. It must show the discipline of careful reasoning and logical progression. Not all opinions are equally valid, despite the currency of our present opinion mills and partisan marketplace. Education today is sadly lacking in philosophy and ethics. People see argumentation merely as an adversarial process in which the loudest voice wins and wisdom is drowned in the voices of the multitudes.

Opinions can differ and be equally valid. They must than be left to be tested. Truth is not, however, subjective. Facts will ultimately be established and opinions may be evaluated on that basis for future reference.

It is fruitless to look to a lobby for the validity of an opinion. That is much like looking to a street vendor for the source of gold. And valid opinions are not the product of the marketplace, but are more often found with those who have a verifiable source in education, experience, and concern for the positive outcome (some would also say revelation).

Answer 4

Experience(life's environmental input) plus Education(knowledge) plus Wisdom (ability to apply Experience and Education to a specific question or occurrence etc). Adding these qualities together one creates opinions that are valid and are a "truth". However, my "truth" may and most likely with be different from your "truth" based upon the above the differences in the ingredients mentioned above.

Without any one of those factors the opinion is worthless because it lacks a vital ingredient that creates a perceived "truth".

Answer 5

An "opinion" is never valid. (Your question didn't suggest straying into whether the opinion is later proved to be fact.) An opinion based on other than fact is subjective; it is an assumption. Personal conviction, experience & so on, validate opinion only to the person expressing it. Even here, since opinions indicate an expression of personal thought, feeling, preference or taste, personal opinions can change. I cannot see how "valid" & "opinion" can in any way be associated.

Edit: Hello there? Was that response to MY answer? I don't see anything in my answer that in any way could relate to your last comment/?

As usual, K's answer was excellent, yet indicates in the last paragraph that your question wasn't clearly articulated, or understood. If you're asking about truth, that's quite another thing.

Edit#2: K's wonderful edit basically confirms my original premise regarding opinion, validity, truth, facts. Her edit clarifies the "confusion."

Answer 6

I think the determination of the validity of an opinion rests with the outcome of it, once the opinion is either acted on or is otherwise made known-- for example acting on it oneself, having someone else act on it, or convincing others of it.

It's a selling game, in a sense... one that a person lobbies for. And people do so often lobby for validity of their opinions, and not usually based on fact but rather based on example, actual advertisement, and/or conviction.

The success of the opinion is just as successful as the lobbying. Various examples are parents raising children (many such lobbies); lobbying for things people know are bad for them such as smoking, AK-47s, certain cars and drugs, many habits... and the beliefs: teaching, preaching, evangelists of all kinds, missionaries, star-gazers, tree huggers, one-way-to live people, etc. etc.

My belief is that few people know all the facts of a thing, and so make their opinions fit those which are sold to them most successfully, even if the selling was subliminal.

Answer 7

Wow......appreciate all the folks out there who have given answers.......I absolutely agree with the fact that opinions can vary widely......they may be biased, outright destructive, given at the impulse of the moment and can be trivial.......(especially colleagues ' in a lab or work place). But the truth can be tested only by factually checking it out and ofcourse in case of scientific verifications, tested and proved.
But whether all these things can be applied in cases of medical emergencies or similar circumstances is a difficult question. But gut instinct in cases of experienced people (like senior physicians and such) many times work out to be correct - especially in pessimistic outcomes; but not optimistically though: I wonder why.

Answer 8

The strong belief of the opinion holder and the basis of what they formed their opinion on, it may not be something concrete but if they present it well and with confidence that is good enough for me!

Answer 9

I believe that the determining factor of a valid opinion lies on the conclusion or judgment held with confidence based on his thoughts and ideas.

A tough question my friend!

Answer 10

A widely accepted opinion not based on facts is called "faith". Nations were created,destroyed and wars waged for and agaist faith.