Quotable: Opinions
By Dr. Theodore Dalrymple (aka Anthony Daniels):
Many young people now end a discussion with the supposedly definitive and unanswerable statement that such is their opinion, and their opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s. The fact is that our opinion on an infinitely large number of questions is not worth having, because everyone is infinitely ignorant. My opinion of the parasitic diseases of polar bears is not worth having for the simple reason that I know nothing about them, though I have a right to an opinion in the sense that I should not receive a knock on the door from the secret police if I express such a worthless opinion.
The right to an opinion is often confused (no doubt for reasons of misplaced democratic sentiment) for the validity of an opinion, just as the validity of an argument is often mistaken for the truth of a conclusion.
Comment by jcyrus
In my opinion, this guy’s a nut. Of course I am quite an expert on nuts and have vast knowledge of the subject, since I myself am a nut. But that’s just my opinion.
However, I am open to adjusting my viewpoint if someone is able to show just cause why I should. Or, if your opinion is more suitable to my position. Or, if your opinion brings me more immediate benefit. Or, if the majority of those who I hold in high esteem hold a variant position, I’ll get on board with them.
However, I reserve the right to change my opinion and revert back to my original position if the need arises.
See, told you I was a nut.
Posted on February 11, 2008 at 8:20 am
Comment by blestou
Ha! You seem to be in the mainstream of opinion makers. You should be the leader of a liberal watchdog group.
Posted on February 11, 2008 at 8:46 am