"No, you are not entitled to your opinion!" What's your take on this article?

2015-04-04T07:01:20-04:00

http://theconversation.com/no-youre-not-entitled-to-your-opinion-9978

I really love this article, it's on point. How do you feel about it, should people that have not the slighest clue about a certain topic be allowed to be heard equally with subject matter experts?
In this arcticle it's about thte Anit-Vaccination movement, but it applies to all topics you can think of.

So what is your take on this?

No, you're not entitled to your opinion

Every year, I try to do at least two things with my students at least once. First, I make a point of addressing them as “philosophers” – a bit cheesy, but hopefully it encourages active learning. Secondly…

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 7:12 AM

2015-04-04T07:12:24-04:00

You may be entitled but that entitlement may go unheard.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Apr 4 at 2015 7:43 AM

2015-04-04T07:43:07-04:00

Fact, truth, and reality trump unsubstantiated opinion in EVERY CASE @1lt l s

Response by PO3 Tanis Huston made Apr 4 at 2015 8:46 AM

2015-04-04T08:46:24-04:00

I feel everyone should be entitled to their opinions. The first question I have is what makes an expert to begin with. Is it education? Is it experience? Is it beliefs? On average the general population will derive their opinions on experience or specific situations. In such with vaccines it was someone's opinion long ago that there was a way to create something that could protect us from something that would kill us. People who have the opinion that vaccines are harmful are entitled to feel that way. However in this example I rather have a living autistic child then a dead child. But as a mother that almost lost my child that's my opinion.

I personally believe that mommies/daddies instinct is being an expert so when I say something is wrong with my child I should be listened to not chucked up to being a first time parent that doesn't know anything. Treating me like that caused them to over look a broken collar bone on my infant cause I said she wouldn't stop crying and they said that's what babies do and they are supposed to be an "expert"?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Apr 4 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-04-04T14:52:24-04:00

The challenge with all arguments is the separation of facts from opinion. To often today we have folks that will argue a point from a factually incorrect position. It is not smart but they are entitled to be as ignorant as they like. I prefer not to have conversations with these sorts of people. The other issue is too many of them have pretty wide coverage due to their position (politician, celebrity etc).

People are entitled to their opinion, what they are not entitled to is their own set of facts (or non facts). Facts can be interpreted in different ways and consequently have different people have varying opinions on the same facts.

World religions (an example used in this thread) are not matters of actual fact (although most have historical facts intertwined in them). They are matters of faith. There are theological issues debated within religion all day long. An example in the protestant church would be reformed theology (often called Calvinism) and dispensationalists. They all look at the same scripture but end up with significantly different theological position on God.

It is a little offensive to have a philosophy lecturer lecture people on opinions. They are often the most opinionated people in the room without regard to the command of the facts they may or may not have. They attempt to beguile with you by arguing about how you are arguing rather than argue the merits of their position. They like to tell you, you are using this fallacy or that fallacy etc. or this argument is incorrect based upon this technical debating approach etc.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Apr 4 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-04-04T16:23:52-04:00

Well, as always with me, it's all about semantics.

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinions.

I don't believe everyone is entitled to have their opinions heard or considered, however.

Opinions based on facts or scientifically sound theories are valid and worth of consideration. Just whimsical opinions are not, as they have historically caused more damage than produced benefits.

Religion comes to mind.
Climate change comes to mind.
Anti-vaccination comes to mind.
Hollow earth comes to mind.
Fake moon landing comes to mind.

You may not agree with basic scientific tenets, but that doesn't mean those are wrong.
If anything, the scientific method emphasizes observation, gathering of facts, coming with a theory and then proving it.
As opposed to some nut dreaming of something and spilling it on national TV just because you have a podium to do so.

.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Apr 4 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-04-04T19:06:10-04:00

I am going to take Samuel L. Jackson's quote as Nick Fury in The Avengers and change it up a bit. "You're entitled to your opinion but should it be a stupid ass opinion we can elect to ignore it."

Everyone has a right to their opinions on different subjects but unless it is a solid and well informed opinion then we really don't have to take it as one. Best course of action is to at least attempt to educate someone or encourage research into a topic if they don't really know anything about it. If they continue to berate others and say stupid things and not take the help then that's their loss.