Poll: Can opinions be wrong?

[Woodsey]

You'll have to be more direct about what part of what I've said you're referring to (the bit in bold) before I can reply properly.

Also, if you'll not (I appreciate I didn't write it down clearly), I talked about there being 2 different types of opinion. One that is purely subjective and one that is based around a fact.

Yeah sorry I edited in which part I was referring to there after you quoted me. (The invading China part). As for the second part of your post the trick here is identifying what is really an opinion and what isn't. To use your China example it IS your opinion that you hate Australia. The opinion may be based one the false pretense that Australia invaded China but that doesn't make the opinion "wrong" it just makes it an ill-informed opinion, and thus valued less then someone with a well-informed opinion. Later if you find out the truth and saw that Australia did not invade China you can change your opinion and be just as correct! Thats the beauty of opinions.

Sorry, maybe I didn't write it clearly then; I know my opinion is the bit about Australia, my point was that the opinion is solely formed on a false fact. To me, that signals a wrong opinion. However, I'm starting to think that "invalid" is a more appropriate word to use than "wrong".

What you say makes sense, but to me it doesn't quite ring true.

 

[infinity_turtles]

Opinions can be wrong, for example "black people are inferior". There is no logical reason for black people to be inferior, so it is wrong.

The problem is that that's a false fact, you're not giving an opinion.

Actually, that is an opinion. A person could not like darker colors, and judge people solely based on aesthetics. So to that person, they are inferior. Whether something is better than another is subjective, and therefore can be an opinion. Not being logical doesn't make something false after all. If I killed people for wearing blue, that'd be pretty illogical, but it doesn't make them any less dead. Anyway, the person is shallow, but their opinion isn't wrong. I'd also say they're stupid, but that's an opinion, because how people judge intelligence is subjective.

 

[MrPop]

My opinion is that an opinion can be wrong.

Am I right in saying that?

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Opinions can be wrong, for example "black people are inferior". There is no logical reason for black people to be inferior, so it is wrong.

The problem is that that's a false fact, you're not giving an opinion.

I'll change it.

"I hate black people"

Whilst it is literally true (I don't really, this is an example), it is morally wrong.

 

[Sir Broccoli]

Opinions can be wrong, for example "black people are inferior". There is no logical reason for black people to be inferior, so it is wrong.

That's the fun thing about opinions, you don't really need to back them up. If you think something about something else it's a valid opinion.

 

[Bigeyez]

Sorry, maybe I didn't write it clearly then; I know my opinion is the bit about Australia, my point was that the opinion is solely formed on a false fact. To me, that signals a wrong opinion. However, I'm starting to think that "invalid" is a more appropriate word to use than "wrong".

What you say makes sense, but to me it doesn't quite ring true.

Ahhhh I think I'm starting to see what you're saying. I think we both agree on what an opinion is we just differ on the semantics of it. I would definitely call an opinion based on false pretenses or on a fact that is just plain wrong an invalid opinion or simply an opinion I would value far less then someone with a valid, well informed opinion.

BTW you rock for that Mafia II avatar.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

They are only wrong if they are different than my opinion.

 

[infinity_turtles]

I don't believe an opinion can be wrong,only facts,and while some facts are wrong to a select group of individuals,for example person A says thing x is better than thing y to him it is fact but to everyone else it is opinion which he is entitled to,when do the lines truly become evident?...It's things like this that I enjoy discussing.

I am of the opinion that skinning people alive is perfectly ok. Now is my opinion right or wrong.

Neither, opinions aren't right or wrong. They just are. That is an opinion though, and opinions are never wrong(or right).

 

[fgdfgdgd]

well in saying that an opinion can be wrong...i'm giving my opinion...which by that logic could be wrong..making opinions right...but then my opinion is wrong again and oh i've gone cross eyed

 

[TheSkaAssassin]

If your opinion is that the Virtual Boy was the greatest console in the history of forever, then you sir are wrong!

 

[rdaleric]

something i often say is "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if they are wrong". Freedom of speach FTW.

Ok, lets say a cult leader feels that you and your family and friends should be slowly tortured to death and eaten. Would you still feel he's entitled to his opinion?

Of course, thats his opinion, as it is mine he is a crazy person who should be locked up for the forseeable future.

The best way I can think to explain it is that Holocaust deniers are wrong, as there is a vast ammount of evidence, but I believe it should not be a crime to say that's what you believe so "everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if they are wrong"

 

[Woodsey]

well in saying that an opinion can be wrong...i'm giving my opinion...which by that logic could be wrong..making opinions right...but then my opinion is wrong again and oh i've gone cross eyed

Like I said in the OP, I think there are 2 types of opinions. Those which are purely subjective, which you giving your opinion on this would be, and those which are based on fact.

The former cannot be right or wrong, the latter (I believe) can. Although, as I've said to a couple on this thread, I think that "invalid" is a better word to use than "wrong".

 

[luvd1]

All opInions are wrong. They can never be more then a subjective judgement unique to the individual. Thus always flawed. No matter if you have all the information at hand your opinion must still be formulated by a personality influenced by its's own personal experiences. Opinions are like butt holes. Everyone has one, and they are all full of s**t.

 

[luvd1]

Though to be more honest. All opinion are wrong and right at the same time. They are right for you. But wrong as they are flawed. It's a paradox.

 

[infinity_turtles]

well in saying that an opinion can be wrong...i'm giving my opinion...which by that logic could be wrong..making opinions right...but then my opinion is wrong again and oh i've gone cross eyed

No, because that's not an opinion.

My opinion is that an opinion can be wrong.

Am I right in saying that?

No, because that's not an opinion.

To everyone that has said that before or will say that later, that's not an opinion. Saying something is your opinion does not make it an opinion. Anytime you use the words "right" and "wrong" *edit* it's not an opinion *edit*.

Right: conforming to facts or truth
Wring: the opposite of ^

Anything dealing with "Facts or truth" is not, nor will ever be, an opinion.

*edit* didn't finish a sentence.

 

[rdaleric]

something i often say is "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if they are wrong". Freedom of speach FTW.

Ok, lets say a cult leader feels that you and your family and friends should be slowly tortured to death and eaten. Would you still feel he's entitled to his opinion?

Of course, thats his opinion, as it is mine he is a crazy person who should be locked up for the forseeable future.

The best way I can think to explain it is that Holocaust deniers are wrong, as there is a vast ammount of evidence, but I believe it should not be a crime to say that's what you believe so "everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if they are wrong"

Ahh, but he's a cult leader (why do you think I included that?). Cult leaders have alot of sway over their followers, who will do what they say. So, if you let him have that opinion his followers will do that to you, your family and your friends.

oh wow you have single handedly destroyed my argument. On the other hand, would he really come and tell me? anyhoo.........

 

[Kris015]

Dammit, i answered no by accident. Of course they can be wrong!

 

[albear]

oppinions can not be wrong, because oppinions are how you feel or what you think about something, hence to have a wrong oppinion you ould have to not think what you think i.e impossible, even if you say your oppinion is something else to what you think, that is just a lie and hence not your oppinion, so oppinions themselves cannot be wrong.