Is there a such thing as a wrong opinion?

[Dark Hart]

When I was in English 2, I had a teacher who constantly said, "Everyone's opinion well be listened to a respected, so long as they can back it up. Remember, there is no such thing as wrong opinion." Yet every time we voiced our opinions, and it "contradicted" what the teacher was saying, she would always tell us our opinion was wrong. No matter what we did, no matter how much we argued our point, our opinion was always "wrong."

Since then I've always made sure everyone's opinion is heard when I'm in a discussion, even if I know it's going to be stupid.

In my opinion, and opinion can never be "wrong." What do y'awl think?

 

[marthanoob]

I agree.

"Opinion" from dictionary.com [there are 6 in all]---
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

If it cannot be proved in complete certainty, then it is an opinion, and it cannot be objectively "right" or "wrong".
However, it is common to use the words "right" or "wrong" in the subjective and relative sense.

 

[GhostAnime]

yes, they can; if they go against facts.

subjective ones can't though.

 

[BFDD]

If you go by the definition that opinion is a subjective belief then I don't think wrong is the correct term. You can have a bad opinion if your reasons aren't valid. I think cats are pretty because I like cake, my opinion is bad, cats may be pretty but the opinion is based on a bad reason. Cats are pretty because I like the colors is a good reason and the opinion can be considered good.

If your definition of opinion allows for opinions on objective things then of course it can be wrong. I believe the grass is orange and the sky is purple. This can be proved incorrect (unless I am color blind). However I don't know if I would define that as an opinion. It seems more of an incorrect statement.

 

[Remzi]

yes, they can; if they go against facts.

subjective ones can't though.

Good point, for example, if i stated:

" I believe there are less than 30 humans in the world"

My opinion would be wrong.

 

[Vro]

" I believe there are less than 30 humans in the world"

My opinion would be wrong.

Your opinion would not be wrong, in the sense that if you actually believed what you said, it'd be right, as an opinion. Until you learn the correct fact, your opinion will always be wrong in others' eyes, because it is something so objective. However, held within you, your opinion will always be correct until something changes it.

 

[victra♥]

Your opinion would not be wrong, in the sense that if you actually believed what you said, it'd be right, as an opinion. Until you learn the correct fact, your opinion will always be wrong in others' eyes, because it is something so objective. However, held within you, your opinion will always be correct until something changes it.

Sounds like Religion.

 

[Eor]

Your opinion would not be wrong, in the sense that if you actually believed what you said, it'd be right, as an opinion. Until you learn the correct fact, your opinion will always be wrong in others' eyes, because it is something so objective. However, held within you, your opinion will always be correct until something changes it.

What he said isn't an opinion. People use that word way too often, what he said was a claim. An opinion would be that blue is the best color, if I say "my opinion is that the majority of people in the world think blue is the best color", then that's not an opinion in the real sense of the word. It's clear that you're either right or wrong, just tacking on "my opinion" at the front doesn't void someone from being wrong

 

[Aesir]

Actually an opinion can be wrong, it maybe true to you but that doesn't make it right.

By stating I believe there's 30 people in the world. That's a wrong opinion, you can't justify that being correct, however if you were going to say. "It's my opinion red is the best color" then that opinion couldn't be incorrect as it's a preference and not a statement. When an opinion is stated as a fact it opens it's self up to be wrong.

Actually if you think about it, when an opinion is opened up to be wrong it is no longer an opinion but rather a statement. So opinions can't be wrong as they're not falsifiable. So the first part of my post is wrong as I'm stating something as a fact it's no longer an opinion.

 

[Vro]

I guess Eor explained it better than I did. It was a claim, a wrong one at that. What I said about it being right in your mind still applies to opinions, but I retract it now that Eor pointed out it was a claim.

 

[Dark Hart]

Sounds like Religion.

That's because religion is an opinion. (Sorry is I offended those whose are religious) It all comes down to what's subjective and what's objective, and that too can be determined by a matter of opinion.

Good point, for example, if i stated:

" I believe there are less than 30 humans in the world"

My opinion would be wrong.

True, that statement itself would be false, but it's also more of a claim that an opinion, like Eor said.

 

[Aesir]

Lets look at this then.

Opinion of personal preference: I think the color blue is the best color ever
This opinion CAN'T be wrong because it's a personal preference I think we all can agree on that.

More a less opinions are personal evaluations, we can't prove blue is a superior or inferior color. However when you say "The world is flat" that's not an opinion, it's a statement. A statement can be wrong and be falsified.

 

[BFDD]

Though if you want to get technical "I believe there are 30 people in the world" can be correct because I'm not saying there are 30 people in the world I'm saying thats what I believe. Its true that I believe it(not really but for the sake of example lets assume thats true), but it doesn't mean my belief is correct. But that is really just focusing to much on useless things and specific technicalities.

Really I agree with what Eor said.

 

[Dark Hart]

BFDD - That very interesting that you said that.

So we all agree that a statment, and opinion, and a believe can all be put into different categories?

 

[Amide]

There's no such thing as a wrong opinion, but it never ceases to amaze how flawed some opinions are. However, I do think that there is a such thing as an invalid opinion. For example, saying gays shouldn't marry because it's 'wrong' does not supply enough evidence to warrant the title 'opinion.' It's pretty much just a rambling without facts.

 

[Dark Hart]

There's no such thing as a wrong opinion, but it never ceases to amaze how flawed some opinions are. However, I do think that there is a such thing as an invalid opinion. For example, saying gays shouldn't marry because it's 'wrong' does not supply enough evidence to warrant the title 'opinion.' It's pretty much just a rambling without facts.

Merriam-Webster's definitions of 'opinion' and 'invalid' to try and put the two together.

Opinion - A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter; belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge

Invalid - Not valid; being without foundation or force in fact, truth, or law

So, an 'invalid opinion' would be as follows: A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter being without foundation or force in fact or truth.

 

[Sudsy86_]

In my opinion, and opinion can never be "wrong." What do y'awl think?

You would have been safe if you didn't include "never".

Because circumstances exist in which an objective matter is brought about, a view on this particular matter could necessarily be as correct as much as reality has been revealed to them.
Likewise, a person could very well be ignorant of information, speak entirely through their rear intuitively, and have an opinion which is necessarily wrong.

If it's on subjective matter, technically no opinion is necessarily right/ wrong--but who gives a darn when information has meaning to it.

 

[Amide]

Merriam-Webster's definitions of 'opinion' and 'invalid' to try and put the two together.

Opinion - A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter; belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge

Invalid - Not valid; being without foundation or force in fact, truth, or law

So, an 'invalid opinion' would be as follows: A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter being without foundation or force in fact or truth.

What I meant in 'invalid opinion' was an opinion that isn't supported by facts, and therefore doesn't carry much worth.

 

[SkylerOcon]

There will never be a 'right' opinion and there will never be a 'wrong' opinion. Why? Because opinions are not facts. People tend to form there beliefs around what has affected there lives and what they have studied, but until it's proven it won't be true. It will remain as just an opinion. Certainly not wrong, but in no way right.

 

[snex]

make a list of all the opinions you have that disagree with opinions i have.

you now have a list of wrong opinions.

 

[SkylerOcon]

But is my opinion that your opinions. It's a paradox. You say that they're wrong, but it is my opinion that they are wrong. It could keep going forever.

 

[Dark Hart]

snex, you're saying that all of your opinions are correct, which is not true. Opinions are not (necessarily) correct, but at the same time they're not incorrect. Just because a persons opinion is not true to you, doesn't mean it's wrong; it may be true to someone else. It's all a matter of opinion.

 

[doom dragon 105]

well this is my first time replying on this board so if i do something wrong let me know

well when you say that you then come to the question what is the theoretical definition of wrong.

i could say my opinion is to execute every one who has never committed a crime.

is that right or wrong

you can say no answer but if the gov were to put that into effect then what would you say?

this in my personal opinion has no answer like all great questions.