Europeanunion

I know that, in all situations in life, there are multitudes of differing opinions. Often, that of those that disagree is considered 'stupid', 'deluded', 'obviously wrong', et cetera; if considered at all. Even worse are accusations of hypocrisy or bias, which suffer from such themselves – as all opinion inevitably does by definition. Some, realising this, opt to distance themselves from that which they consider suffers from such bias to the greatest detriment to their argument; only forwarding or legitimising that which substantiates their cause.

I know that, in all situations in life, there are multitudes of differing opinions. Often, that of those that disagree is considered 'stupid', 'deluded', 'obviously wrong', et cetera; if considered at all. Even worse are accusations of hypocrisy or bias, which suffer from such themselves – as all opinion inevitably does by definition. Some, realising this, opt to distance themselves from that which they consider suffers from such bias to the greatest detriment to their argument; only forwarding or legitimising that which substantiates their cause.

This disregard for entire swathes of research not only lends no credence to their views whatsoever, but also makes them less likely to be the most accurate: there is so much to be gained by considering that one may be wrong, or at least that those that have been disregarded may not always be automatically wrong. This is also true of generalisation, stereotyping and prejudice – just because some that have a certain opinion engage in hypocrisy, delusion, selective referencing and illogicality, does not mean that they are wrong, does not mean that those with differing stances do not engage in similar acts, and certainly does not mean that all with similar opinions do also.  

This disregard for entire swathes of research not only lends no credence to their views, but also makes them less likely to be the most accurate: there is so much to be gained by considering that one may be wrong, or at least that those that have been disregarded may not always be automatically wrong. This is also true of generalisation, stereotyping and prejudice – just because some that have a certain opinion engage in hypocrisy, delusion, selective referencing and illogicality, does not mean that they are wrong, does not mean that those with differing stances do not engage in similar acts, and certainly does not mean that all with similar opinions do also.  

I also know that the actions described above are entirely natural; they are part of what thought is – if a human does not believe that their opinions are right, then they do not have opinions. I know that it is extremely hard to overcome this seemingly logical process: to look at what others have to say, without prejudice to its validity, and to risk diluting one's own dearly held values in the search for truth. I don't expect that those that I debate with to always do this – I don't expect myself to – but I will always remember that it is possible, sometimes even likely, that I am wrong and others are right, and I hope that others can at least try to also.

I also know that the actions described above are entirely natural; they are part of what thought is – if a human does not believe that their opinions are right, then they do not have opinions. I know that it is extremely hard to overcome this seemingly logical process: to look at what others have to say, without prejudice to its validity, and to risk diluting one's own dearly held values in the search for truth. I don't expect that those that I debate with to always do this – I don't expect myself to – but I will always remember that it is possible, sometimes even likely, that I am wrong and others are right, and I hope that others can at least try to also.

I will most likely disagree with many other users. Do not disregard my arguments – I will not yours. But, more importantly, do not consider me any different to you. I am not.

I will most likely disagree with many other users. Do not disregard my arguments – I will not yours. But, more importantly, do not consider me any different to you. I am not.