Opinions
Opinion is the medium between Knowledge and Ignorance.” - Plato
As I sit to write, I’m thinking of the famous opening line from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
At present, there is cause for both concern and celebration. In governance, apathy is shrinking, and awareness of key issues is growing, brought to our attention by various sources. Friends, family, and media offer an abundance of opinions. We need to discern fact from fiction and reality from distortion. This will determine our capacity to make informed decisions. Doing so shapes our collective future.
We form our opinions based on our experiences, values, and knowledge. Opinions fall into two categories: subjective and objective.
After a discussion, I’ve often wondered, “Why did I say that?” It can become a valuable learning moment if I am willing to reflect and recognize when I’ve spoken without complete understanding. The discomfort of realizing I was wrong can push me to seek a deeper understanding. And if I remember to think before speaking, I can approach conversations more humbly. As Thomas Merton wrote, “Pride makes us artificial, and humility makes us real.” When I admit what I don’t know, I open myself to greater wisdom—because, in the end, I don’t know what I don’t know.
Opinions shape discussions, debates, and decisions, and our society reflects the diversity of perspectives. Recently, I read about confidence bias, a psychological concept I hadn’t been aware of before. Confidence has sometimes served me well, but I’ve also experienced moments when overconfidence led to some pretty hard life lessons.
As I watched the U.S. election unfold, I found myself questioning everything. How could one of the world’s most educated nations elect someone with such low moral character? Politics can be a complicated topic, but one possible answer may be confidence bias or overconfidence bias. Confidence bias affects listeners. They may mistake confidence for expertise and accept claims without question.
People who overestimate their knowledge or abilities tend to ignore risks and make irrational decisions. People often associate assertiveness with knowledge. People trust confident speakers even when the speaker lacks true expertise. This diminishes the listener's critical thinking and makes one less likely to question or analyze information, especially when presented as absolute truth. Opinions shape how we interpret the world, yet they are not always rooted in reality.
Democratic societies rely on informed citizens who can think critically. Recognize bias and engage in meaningful discussions. Without critical thinking, people become susceptible to misinformation, propaganda, and emotional manipulation.
As Marcus Aurelius reminds us, what we hear is often opinion rather than fact, and what we see is a perspective rather than absolute truth. Personal experiences shape our views, biases, and emotions. They reflect our understanding rather than objective reality. Emerson highlights that our opinions also reveal our character, illuminating our values and mindset.
Yet, opinions alone do not create change—actions do. Paulo Coelho emphasizes that the world is transformed by example, not words alone. Steve Jobs warns against letting the opinions of others silence our inner voice, reminding us to stay true to our convictions. Yet, as Leonardo da Vinci cautions, our greatest deception often comes from our own opinions, which can mislead us if we mistake them for truth.
Proverbs says, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”And from the Book of James, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
Discernment is key. Understanding the difference between opinion and reality allows us to navigate the world with wisdom and clarity. In a world where opinions shape reality, wisdom lies in knowing which voices—our own included—deserve our trust.
The older I get, the more convinced I am that the space between people trying their best to understand each other is hallowed ground. - Fred Rogers
Inspiring Things
ARTICLE: Established in 1942, the Women’s Timber Corps saw upwards of 15,000 young women work during the Second World War as “lumberjills”. Between 17 and 24, they assumed roles traditionally filled by men in Britain’s forests, felling trees to aid the war effort. Joanna Foat’s new book, The Lumberjills, tells their story through stunning archive photography – and this gallery gives an enthralling taste.
MUSIC: Cellist, singer, and composer Abel Selaocoe joins the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and a musical ensemble in his original arrangement of the South African hymn "Ibuyile iAfrica," which means "Africa is back." Put on your dancing shoes.
PHOTOGRAPHY: One way to fight climate change: Make your own glaciers. It's a fantastic story as well.
