Respecting an opinion?

[randomrogue]

We've probably all heard this a million times. "Respect my opinion". Does this make sense though?

Respecting someones opinion seems to be the final point in an argument where someone loses or tries to use their authority over you to win an argument. Sometimes you'll hear something like this:

I do not want you going out with boys until you're 18!

BUT WHY DAD?!

Because I said so! Respect my decision!

Other times it's with respect to religion, reike, the anti-vaccine movement, big foot, aliens, and the like.

Should opinions be respected? My opinion is my own but what if someone can show my opinion to be wrong, irrational, based on fear, or a conspiracy theory? Is someone rude and disrespectful for challenging my opinion?

Isn't respect to be earned and not given?

 

[EagleKeeper]

There is difference between an opinion not being the same as yours and you not coming to an common agreement.

Example:
Some here think Obama walks on water.
Others feel he is the devil reincarnated.

Each may not agree with the other, however they are mature enough to agree that the other is allowed that opinion.

 

[Craig234]

Some here think Obama walks on water.

Can you provide any evidence for that? A name and a quote? Or is that false equivalency?

For example, we recently had an exchange; you couldn't think of any accomplishment.

I listed a long list and linked to over 200.

That's countering your implication there aren't any, not overly praising Obama.

In fact, I have quite a few criticisms of Obama. Disagreeing that 'he's the worst president in history' or 'he hasn't done anything' is not the sort of praise you mention.

I agree there are some who fit your description, but I haven't seen them post in this forum.

Others feel he is the devil reincarnated.

No argument there (figuratively).

 

[crashtestdummy]

It's mainly meant as a way of shutting down conversation without conceding the point. There can be good reasons for this. Many disagreements come from a conflict on an original premise (god exists, for example, or the Yankees suck) that cannot be resolved within the confines of the conversation. The result is that the two arguing the point will be reduced to simply repeating arguments without getting closer to a resolution. The "agree to disagree" or "that's just my opinion" line is essentially an admission of this. It's a request to stop talking because the conversation is no longer productive.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Respect cannot be demanded, only earned.

Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. But not all are equally worthy of respect.

That said, one can respect the other person's right to disagree, even if you feel the opinion in question is based on falsehoods or poor reasoning.

 

[ivwshane]

I don't think one has to respect an opinion if the opinion is not based on facts. However if an opinion cannot be proven or disproven (usually religious or moral argument) respect for the other persons opinion should be given.

In a politically correct world respect to any opinion should be given but to me that's not a good way to move forward as a society. Treating people's opinion with respect when it doesn't deserve it wastes a lot of unnecessary time and slows the progress of man (yes I'm speaking in very general and broad terms).

 

[JEDIYoda]

I don't think one has to respect an opinion if the opinion is not based on facts. However if an opinion cannot be proven or disproven (usually religious or moral argument) respect for the other persons opinion should be given. -- it does not matter if the opinion can be proved of disproved.....what matters is that everybody has the right to an opinion!

In a politically correct world respect to any opinion should be given but to me that's not a good way to move forward as a society. Treating people's opinion with respect when it doesn't deserve it wastes a lot of unnecessary time and slows the progress of man (yes I'm speaking in very general and broad terms).

You do not ever need to respect anybodys opinion......but you always need to respect their right to have an opinion!

 

[ivwshane]

You do not ever need to respect anybodys opinion......but you always need to respect their right to have an opinion!

I agree with that. I was specifically talking about the opinion itself.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I don't think one has to respect an opinion if the opinion is not based on facts. However if an opinion cannot be proven or disproven (usually religious or moral argument) respect for the other persons opinion should be given.

Exactly.

For example, people here have different opinions on how to balance personal liberty against endangering themselves or others.

In the immunization thread Craig argued that it's OK to protect people from harming themselves [ against their will ], while I feel society only has the right to protect a person from harming others (not themselves).

Both are opinions, and neither of us can prove that our approach is the one true way.

Just because I disagree doesn't mean I can't accept that we both want to do what we think is right, and that both viewpoints are reasonable.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Can you provide any evidence for that? A name and a quote? Or is that false equivalency?

For example, we recently had an exchange; you couldn't think of any accomplishment.

I listed a long list and linked to over 200.

That's countering your implication there aren't any, not overly praising Obama.

In fact, I have quite a few criticisms of Obama. Disagreeing that 'he's the worst president in history' or 'he hasn't done anything' is not the sort of praise you mention.

I agree there are some who fit your description, but I haven't seen them post in this forum.



No argument there (figuratively).

How does this rant fit in with respecting opinions?

You do not have to agree with an opinion, but any opinion should be allowed to be expressed.

 

[UberNeuman]

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”
- Harlan Ellison

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Everyone is both entitled to, and must respect, my perspective: But only because it is the best, most well informed, and thoughtful possible take.

/Fact

 

[Craig234]

nm

 

[shadow9d9]

How does this rant fit in with respecting opinions?

You do not have to agree with an opinion, but any opinion should be allowed to be expressed.

You ARE allowed.. but you can't expect people to take you seriously if you express an "opinion" without any basis in fact, like you did. You aren't even so much expressing and opinion as making an assertion... when asked to back yourself up, if you can't, that assertion is proven false.

 

[Murloc]

I think you don't have to respect opinions, but respect freedom enough to let unrespectable opinions be expressed.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

About half of Republicans in the Deep South still think Obama is a Muslim.

How am I supposed to respect that?

 

[werepossum]

About half of Republicans in the Deep South still think Obama is a Muslim.

How am I supposed to respect that?

Well, you could start by accepting that there are indications of such. Bowing to the Saudi King is one example. Describing the Muslim call to prayer as "the most beautiful sound in the world" is another. (Most of us would liken it to cats being rhythmically stretched on the rack.) Cancelling traditional Judeo-Christian White House events while starting or continuing new Muslim White House events is a third.

I don't personally think Obama is a Muslim, but it's not such a bizarre opinion as if they thought he was a space alien.

 

[EagleKeeper]

About half of Republicans in the Deep South still think Obama is a Muslim.

How am I supposed to respect that?

Is that a story spread by Obama supporters to trigger outrage.

While it may or may not be true, people have been overly sensitized to race. The more someone tries to play with it, the worse the issue becomes.

It hurts to ignore such ignorance, when knowledge is refused, both sides have to accept that refusal is a right. Move on and learn to ignore. You can not win those battles.

 

[ivwshane]

Well, you could start by accepting that there are indications of such. Bowing to the Saudi King is one example. Describing the Muslim call to prayer as "the most beautiful sound in the world" is another. (Most of us would liken it to cats being rhythmically stretched on the rack.) Cancelling traditional Judeo-Christian White House events while starting or continuing new Muslim White House events is a third.

I don't personally think Obama is a Muslim, but it's not such a bizarre opinion as if they thought he was a space alien.

Those are indications of someone being a muslim?

I celebrate christmas, thank god when I avoid an accident, and I really like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Does that mean I'm christian? Is than an indication that I might be?

Like I said, opinions can be respected when there are facts behind them or when something can't be proven or dispproven but when they are based hunches or assumptions (like the above) then no respect is given but I respect your right to feel the way you do.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

You ARE allowed.. but you can't expect people to take you seriously if you express an "opinion" without any basis in fact, like you did. You aren't even so much expressing and opinion as making an assertion... when asked to back yourself up, if you can't, that assertion is proven false.

This is a logical fallacy: ad logicam

The idea that if the other person fails to present a proper defense of his or her perspective, said perspective is wrong.

There may be many other, un presented, logical arguments that defend the position, but which the arguer is ignorant of.

About half of Republicans in the Deep South still think Obama is a Muslim.

How am I supposed to respect that?

the same way you respect african americans in the inner city despite their high incarceration rate; and ex-cons that are trying to live honest lives now; and anyone else that's a in a lowly position primarily because of her or his environment.

The points about the 'facticity' of your statement, I feel, do not get at the problem you are presenting.

 

[ivwshane]

Is that a story spread by Obama supporters to trigger outrage.

While it may or may not be true, people have been overly sensitized to race. The more someone tries to play with it, the worse the issue becomes.

It hurts to ignore such ignorance, when knowledge is refused, both sides have to accept that refusal is a right. Move on and learn to ignore. You can not win those battles.

Nope but I'm sure it would make you feel better if it was some kind of Obama propaganda.
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/ma...ny-gop-voters-in-alabama-mississippi-20120312


See, that was an example of you having an opinion, I respect your right to think however you want but I don't have to respect your opinion because it's not based on facts (which I kindly linked to for you).

 

[DaveSimmons]

I agree that there is no need to respect an opinion that is factually wrong.

If someone thinks the Earth is flat, or it is 6,000 years old, their opinion on that matter is not worthy of the same respect as someone who accepts reality.

If someone thinks Obama is a secret Muslim born in Kenya, their opinion on that one issue is not worthy of respect. That doesn't give one a free pass to dismiss every other opinion that they hold.

 

[JEDIYoda]

actually Obama`s family history dates back to the Mayans......

 

[Dr. Zaus]

actually Obama`s family history dates back to the Mayans......

He's actually from Krypton; he admitted to it.

 

[JEDIYoda]

:thumbsup:

He's actually from Krypton; he admitted to it.