Friday, June 08, 2012
Don’t Apologize for Your Opinions
One thing that always bothers me, is when intelligent, thoughtful people; feel it is necessary to apologize for their ideas and opinions… or for even having ideas and opinions at all (much less opinions contrary to those around them, or which are unpopular).
You don’t have to apologize for your views to anyone, for any reason. They are yours (or at least, they should be… if they aren’t… if you’re just repeating things you’ve been told, or you don’t really understand or believe what you’re saying… well, you’ve got a different problem entirely).
Right or wrong, you have the right to an opinion (I don’t have to listen to you, but I can’t tell you you can’t have them); and unless you are violating others rights in doing so, you have the right to express those views openly, and to act on them appropriately.
The first freedom, is freedom of conscience. Without freedom of conscience, we are not men.
However, having and expressing views, carries an element of responsibility and duty with it.
First you must understand, you have the right to your own opinions, but not your own facts. If facts contradict your opinions, facts win, no matter what you think or what you want; and whether you recognize it or not. Reality is a harsh mistress, and it doesn’t respect your ideas, your opinions, your preferences, or your feelings… Reality respects only fact.
Finally, you must accept that your views may be wrong; and if proven (by either reasoning or reality) to be incorrect, incomplete, or improperly understood; you must be able to re-examine, and revise, or even replace them.
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10 comments:
Jon,
Well stated! I too have been bothered by the rash of apologies. If you have stated a fact, or opinion based on fact, there is no need to apologize.
If someone finds your statement offensive, so be it. Let him/her refute your statement with facts, not a tear-filled emotional rant about how you hurt his/her feelings.
Liberals who demand we appolligise to the world should be told to TAKE A HIKE
Gee, somehow those concepts sound familiar.
That was very, very well stated. Thanks for sharing it, Jon.
Well said Jon. To apologize without true cause is simply a sign of weakness. To apologize when "you know" you're right, is even worse. But, in the politically correct world we have allowed to flourish, being weak is now simply "conforming".
There was a Western movie quite a while ago (maybe around 1970) where the lead character said "Don't apologize, it is a sign of weakness". I always liked that bit. I cannot remember if the character was played by John Wayne or Richard Boone.
A dialogue has some chance of persuasion whereas opposing monologues are a waste of effort. When trying to create a dialogue with those of emotional viewpoints it makes sense to preface opinions and even facts with “I am sorry if it offends you but….”. This is not an apology for having the opinion or the validity of the fact. Most progressive, liberal, and religious concepts are emotionally rather than logically based.
MDH
Jon,
Tell me it's not so! Did you just unwittingly capitulate to the PC crowd:
"... unless you are violating others rights in doing so, you have the right to express those views openly ..."
Jon, don't you know, Progressives (but only Progressives)have the right not to be offended. It's right there in the Constitution. Just ask them, they'll tell you.
Don't recall at the moment exactly where it is, somewhere in the penumbra I think.
Well put, Jon. I think a lot of it is because people can see that water runs downhill, but will be met with a torrent of abuse for pointing out even such an obvious fact when it runs counter to the latest mantra, so they preface their argument with - as Anon 3:42 notes - some softening verbiage in an attempt to head off the anger and keep the discussion at an adult level.
The attempt is usually in vain. Reasonable people don't need to be assuaged in this manner, and unreasonable people aren't really arguing, they're just looking for affirmation for their egos.
Anon 3:20, it was John (Duke) Wayne. I'm not sure which movie, as he said that same line in several films.
Naive, our two young swimmers apologised for a lawful act.
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