Opinion Deep Dive

Everyone has one. We know this. I mean, we know this.

The truth about opinions is they are based on assumption, emotions and occasionally personal experience or knowledge, i.e. a select control group fact. To make sure what I am saying is true and has basis in fact, and is not an opinion, I did a minuscule amount of research.

First let me check the definition of opinion. According to my in print Oxford American Dictionary, copyright 1980; ‘ a noun, it is a belief or judgement that is held firmly but without actual proof of its truth.’ Probable. A thought. A judgment. A comment or an estimate.

So I am being generous in using fact as a component, but an experience or exposure to the situation or topic is considered fact by most who have had the experience or exposure; even if this intimate knowledge was not common in details and results. Discerning whether that experience or exposure to what others have in their history is the same or different begins to give more/less creditability and could make it a fact.

Checking the encyclopedia on line was interesting as Britannica’s available entry for perusal was on the subject of public opinion. Which brings up why we share our opinion so much. We do so to sway or create a trend, or influence another.

Differing opinions is the break point in many kinds of relationships. All can be acutely affected by these strong feelings. They have been the estrangement of many relationships. Yet, we keep dismissing each other’s opinions.