What’s in an opinion?

We have been toying around in the newsroom with a concept for our last editorial of the semester. We decided on an opinion about opinions; a ‘Meta-torial.’

 

In his book, “The Enchirdon,” stoic philosopher Epictetus offered wisdom about opinions in the first aphorism.

“Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions.

Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.”

The nature of an opinion is a judgement, statement, or view point that surrounds a subject. When you use facts to inform your judgements or to shape your views, it is said that you are making an argument.

Depending on how you’ve structured those facts will determine how sound or flawed your arguments are, and how well they can be weighed against the arguments of others.

However, it can never be guaranteed that two people will see the same set of facts and form the same opinion. That’s why opinions will always be subjective in nature.

So since an opinion is a personal possession, subjective in nature, and under your control, you have a lot of power over your opinion, but you also have the responsibility to use your power wisely.  It is best to form your opinions based on sound arguments because that helps you be understood.

Many politicians and celebrities have made themselves a fool by stepping on their soapbox and shouting an ignorant opinion.  While they have the power and freedom to do so, they’re not immune from criticism.

Looking back to Epictetus’s comments, we see that reputation is not in our control. How others view your arguments and opinions are going to be based on how they choose to perceive you, rather than how you present yourself.

So you’re free to the powers of your own opinions, but when you choose to voice a poorly formed opinion, everyone else is just as free to criticize you for voicing it.