Opinions

I was reading this excellent essay by Roger Ebert and found it a very good read.

I really connected to the following words from that essay:

It is not important to be “right” or “wrong.” It is important to know why you hold an opinion, understand how it emerged from the universe of all your opinions, and help others to form their own opinions. There is no correct answer. There is simply the correct process. “An unexamined life is not worth living.”

This has always been very important for me. To have my opinions independent of others influence. Not always easy but I try to ensure that I keep my opinions uninfluenced until I have had a time to examine them and come to some sort of a conclusion. While this sometimes lead to being judgmental it serves me well as I can look at issues and ideas with my own perception and perhaps provide a different perspective.

Ps. Yes, sometimes I’m too strongly opinionated to the point of stubborness ;)

4 Comments

  1. Swe February 6, 2009

    This is what has made you very unique from others :)
    If I have heard an opinion from you, no matter how many years have passed, I know you will still stand by it.

  2. AJ February 6, 2009

    I try to stand by them. Mostly because I give them a lot of thought, “re-thoughts” sometimes.

    But I am also practical. When it is obvious that I am wrong, I do change my opinions :)

    And at times when I know that others do not understand my opinion, I then just keep it to myself, entirely.

    Oh and I’m glad you understand this part of me :)

  3. Sean February 18, 2009

    I would say “Yes” to most of what what Egbert said and an even heartier rejoinder to the peril of leading an unexmamined life. But while I disagree with him on there being no correct answer, I am sure there is such as thing as a meaningful or fulfilling answer! Or an answer that makes the most sense or addresses the situation you are in at the moment. And then correct being whose sense of correctness? His, Hers, yours or mine. If our values match, and we all understand the same thing, there is a higher opportunity for correctness in answers. It all comes down to communication, basically.

  4. AJ February 18, 2009

    Sean, I agree completely with what you say.

    Every question has an answer. But it all depends on perspective, that point of time and what is right for you at that moment.

    I think that is what Roger Ebert was saying as well.

    on there being no correct answer

    That’s where he agrees with you. What I interpreted that as: Everyone answer WILL be wrong for someone. But that does not mean that the answer itself is wrong. What is right for you might be wrong for someone else and vice-versa.

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