Should everyone's opinion be given the same value? Does it matter who is saying it ? How honest is the person in giving his opinion and does he have your good intentions at heart ?
These are they types of question that are going around in my head at the moment. Should I listen to someone who is (to be very blunt about it) less educated than me? I am okay with listening to people's views and opinions about things, I don't mind if you tell me that aliens actually exist and that homeopathy works .. but what I want from you in the next few sentences is some evidence for that claim. Otherwise, your view is based in ignorance and does not matter. But everyone has the right to their opinion, so am I wrong in opposing such things? If someone believes prayer can cure their headache, who am I to tell them to take an Aspirin?
Here is where the actual problem is. Everyone can have an opinion. Everyone is also entitled to it. Does it mean that every view is equally valid? I don't think so. A view based in knowledge is more likely to be correct that one based in ignorance/superstition. So if you tell me that the twisted ankle can better be cured by some Malishi and you don't need to go to the doctor, I will oppose you with all that I have to make you understand that your well being is based not in superstitions/misinformation/word-of-mouth but in actual knowledge for which people have devoted time and energies, conducted conclusive tests and experiments and then developed the cures and medicines.
If you tell me that I need to get married right now because you want to see my parents become grand parents, I have every right to point it out to you that I do not have time to pursue such an endeavor. All the examples that you bring to the table are of the people who had nothing better to do with their lives. (and yes education does count as doing something better) I don't care who got married when he was how old. This is my life, thank you for your concern, but I am happy the way I am.
I have increasingly being feeling that I have started to analyse things, every little thing. I get annoyed when someone tell me something that does not conform to the way I think. Do I have a right to do so? Do I have a right to do so specifically because I know more than them about the subject? Should I tell them why they are wrong? Or should I value their ignorance and let them lead their life with their delusions?
I feel that there are some subjects that you can talk to everyone about. Telling people that the universe is about 14 billion years old doesn't raise an eyebrow. Telling people that pi is the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of the circle, less so. But if you contradict them about their core sets of beliefs, or you talk to them about their worldview, people get easily offended/defensive. Is is a good thing to challenge people about how they think? Can any good come of it ? I can't say. (In my heart the answer is yes, knowledge is a good thing. But somehow I can not back this claim up at the moment)
In my view, I have started looking at the hideous world the way it is without any preconceived notions. People are so ugly without that mask, except some.
These are they types of question that are going around in my head at the moment. Should I listen to someone who is (to be very blunt about it) less educated than me? I am okay with listening to people's views and opinions about things, I don't mind if you tell me that aliens actually exist and that homeopathy works .. but what I want from you in the next few sentences is some evidence for that claim. Otherwise, your view is based in ignorance and does not matter. But everyone has the right to their opinion, so am I wrong in opposing such things? If someone believes prayer can cure their headache, who am I to tell them to take an Aspirin?
Here is where the actual problem is. Everyone can have an opinion. Everyone is also entitled to it. Does it mean that every view is equally valid? I don't think so. A view based in knowledge is more likely to be correct that one based in ignorance/superstition. So if you tell me that the twisted ankle can better be cured by some Malishi and you don't need to go to the doctor, I will oppose you with all that I have to make you understand that your well being is based not in superstitions/misinformation/word-of-mouth but in actual knowledge for which people have devoted time and energies, conducted conclusive tests and experiments and then developed the cures and medicines.
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I have increasingly being feeling that I have started to analyse things, every little thing. I get annoyed when someone tell me something that does not conform to the way I think. Do I have a right to do so? Do I have a right to do so specifically because I know more than them about the subject? Should I tell them why they are wrong? Or should I value their ignorance and let them lead their life with their delusions?
I feel that there are some subjects that you can talk to everyone about. Telling people that the universe is about 14 billion years old doesn't raise an eyebrow. Telling people that pi is the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of the circle, less so. But if you contradict them about their core sets of beliefs, or you talk to them about their worldview, people get easily offended/defensive. Is is a good thing to challenge people about how they think? Can any good come of it ? I can't say. (In my heart the answer is yes, knowledge is a good thing. But somehow I can not back this claim up at the moment)
In my view, I have started looking at the hideous world the way it is without any preconceived notions. People are so ugly without that mask, except some.
Well for starters wisdom is not defined by education. Completely illiterate people can be very wise because they learn from their surroundings and that wisdom can not be learnt from any institute. Some very educated people with very good degrees can act like totally illiterate people. You are being biased and prejudiced in that case.
ReplyDeleteIf a person has a belief and their life is going on fine uptil now then let them be but, I am not saying that you should not voice your opinion because, that person might not have explored the avenue that you are suggesting.
Technically speaking you should question people or voice your concerns to a point that they dont find it rude(especially in the case of elders).
It is the right of your parents to have grandchildren and to have certain expectation off you since they have been living up to your expectations, its more like a trade. Only when circumstances permit, make sure you are not running away from it. When things like this happen, its a sign to sit down and think about your actions whether they are justified or not, whether your being overanalytical or you are justified.