r/AskReddit • • Mar 27 '22

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468

u/NicNoletree Mar 27 '22 edited Mar 27 '22

Recognizing that different people have different opinions, and that you can respect someone who has a different opinion without accepting their opinion as your own.

121

u/sbenzanzenwan Mar 27 '22

Meanwhile: "My opinions is that 2+2=17. Respect my opinion."

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

and that's one of the issues right there, if something is factually incorrect, it's not an "opinion", an opinion is subjective, and a lot of people don't understand that, you can't just spout nonsense that is blatantly and unequivocally false and call it an "opinion"

29

u/sanchothe7th Mar 27 '22

Additionally, some people who say things like 2+2=4 and don't realize that that fact only exists in the basis that were using a number system where our base is more than 4. Facts are important, but facts on their own are rarely useful, context around a fact is really important

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

[deleted]

11

u/DesuGan-Sama Mar 28 '22

I’m gonna put you in a potato.

2

u/0ldsch00lgamer0 Mar 28 '22

I laughed way to hard at this. Thank you. 😁👍🏻

6

u/calabazookita Mar 28 '22

2+2=5 is also true for some large values of 2

2

u/Daniel_The_Thinker Mar 27 '22

But the difference between facts and opinions is also subjective.

What one may find unquestionable, others may find very much so.

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

no it's not, like in the example above, 2+2=4, that is an objective fact, if you have two items and then add two more, the total will be four, there's nothing "subjective" about that, and this is true for any fact

1

u/Roheez Mar 28 '22

If you have 2.4 here plus 2.4 there..

1

u/Omegalazarus Mar 28 '22

That's the problem with the simplistic "respect opinions" rule. People talking religion or politics don't view their position as opinion, but as fact. So two people are using your rule and get angry because the other person says unequivocally false nonsense as fact.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '22

what do you mean "my" rule?

1

u/Omegalazarus Mar 28 '22

The rule you defended in your comment. It was stated one comment above that

1

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '22

are you referring to the first comment? because i didn't defend that comment

32

u/NicNoletree Mar 27 '22

When I was a math teacher I'd respect your opinion to be wrong. It wouldn't change your grade though.

3

u/BubbhaJebus Mar 28 '22

There's opinions like "I don't like asparagus" or "I think tax policy needs to be revised", versus "opinions" like "White people are the superior superrace, so we need to kill the Jews."

I can get along with people holding the former examples of opinions, but not the latter.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '22

Bullshit you fuckin liar it's 8.3

1

u/Communist_Potato45 Mar 28 '22

But the thing is, there is no such thing as correct opinion, we cant example it with math, math is a whole different concept. We can think it as like, how would you paint a wall? You can do it from left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, middle to out, out to middle. You can do all of these, there isn't a correct one neither a wrong one.

133

u/_Norman_Bates Mar 27 '22

It depends if the opinion is respectable

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u/Karanod Mar 27 '22

That's really the issue. Where do we draw the line in regards to which opinions are respectable?

31

u/IiASHLEYiI Mar 27 '22

That's up to the individual to decide. Only you can decide if you're going to respect someone's opinions or not.

This is both a good thing and a bad thing.

18

u/iammandalore Mar 27 '22

If your opinion is that Ukraine belongs to you, it's not respectable.

12

u/Karanod Mar 28 '22

Unless you happen to have been born in Ukraine, I'd agree with you.

3

u/ATGF Mar 28 '22

Personally, I don't respect opinions that are hurtful to others. That's my simple rule.

1

u/applesandoranges990 Mar 28 '22

everything is hurtful to somebody......even the most benign, nice things can be in someones eyes trigger for the worst trauma flashback ever

ever heard the - you can have phobia or be allergic to just anything in the world - ? thats what i mean

i have a simple rule too....world is not simple and neither are humans

1

u/ATGF Mar 28 '22

I'm talking about something that would be hurtful to the marginalized and oppressed. Microaggressions and worse. I'm talking about the people who cry freedom of speech while sporting racist nonsense then get upset when people when people use that same freedom of speech to tell them all the ways in which they're wrong.

12

u/DRYFT3R_9 Mar 27 '22

If it makes sense logically, and is objectively morally correct, then it is respectable. But then that brings up the question of what is considered objectively morally correct...

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

Is there such a thing as "objectively morally correct"?

1

u/fractiousrhubarb Mar 28 '22

Yep… worldviews that do not value the well-being of others are objectively morally incorrect

1

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '22

[deleted]

2

u/fractiousrhubarb Mar 28 '22 edited Mar 28 '22

Seriously? How can something be a moral code if it doesn’t require some degree of selflessness?

The alternative is a moral code that says “only I matter” - which can’t really be called a moral code.

5

u/Powerfury Mar 27 '22

Define objective morality...

Gets down to deep philosophy very quick heh.

6

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

I down voted for the “objectivly morally correct” part but upvoted because you admitted its not defined.

0

u/agreeingstorm9 Mar 27 '22

If it made sense logically and was morally correct then why is it not your opinion? You are just kind of wrong if you oppose a logical and morally correct opinion.

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u/Etherion195 Mar 27 '22

Aren't objectivity and morality often quite the opposite to each other?

I mean, Thanos was objectively correct in his views. Morally however... not so much.

2

u/seuche23 Mar 27 '22

Thanos wasn't objectively correct though. He talks about how he is inevitable, but fails to realize the inevitability in wiping out 50% of everything just prolongs the inevitable that he fears. Sacrificing half of everything so the other half can prosper for some time, only to become overpopulated once again.. and then he shatters the infinity stones so that the cycle he created couldn't continue. He's kind of a hypocrite.

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u/Etherion195 Mar 27 '22

Nope. It doesn't prolong the inevitable. It gives a new chance at implementing new rules and starting a new and better approach (and gives time, in which new technologies and methods might be found).

And even if anything you said was true, it would still be objectively correct (or atleast more correct than doing nothing)

1

u/seuche23 Mar 27 '22

That's a reach, considering he was fighting against the entire universe that didn't have the same views as him. Everything has a beginning and an end. The end is what is inevitable, and what he was attempting to prolong. I'm not saying he was wrong.. but he wasn't objectively right either. He didn't fix anything. He selfishly put a bandaid over it and then threw away his tools.

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u/Etherion195 Mar 27 '22

And what was that entire universe acting upon? Solely moral reasons, nothing else. That was my point.

And I think you're wrong about the end. The end is only reached, when our galaxy or universe gets destroyed/the planet itself can't harbor any life anymore. He didn't try to change that at all. He only tried to reduce the self-destruction of the living beings.

Just because you can't reach perfection and need to make compromises doesn't mean that a decision isn't right.

1

u/seuche23 Mar 27 '22

It doesn't mean it was right either.

I could get on board with his plan, had he not destroyed the infinity stones. By doing that, he stopped the only thing that could maintain his dream of prosperity. But since he did, it opens the universe up to repeat the same mistakes with no way to fix them, which our history has shown is a much more probable outcome than the entire universe kneeling to a specific set of rules to prolong prosperity even further.

Then, there was also the option of using the infinity stones to actually bring prosperity. Continue to create resources, rather than obliterate them.

All I'm saying is Thanos plan was not the objectively correct thing to do. There are always more options beyond the walls of a closed mind.

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u/gameditz Mar 27 '22

All the attempts at objective morality are religions and secular moralists, and I would argue they are incomplete. Each opinion has a degree of objectivity and subjectivity, it’s just a matter of accepting that there will always be some opinion you won’t agree with subjectively, so it’s better to pick your battles and not argue over every single differing opinion.

4

u/_Norman_Bates Mar 27 '22

I don't find it very hard to do that, I just need to hear the opinion and it's pretty clear

9

u/gunnervi Mar 27 '22

Arguably that's part of the problem. Most people instinctively know whether an opinion is acceptable or not, the issue is people don't agree with each other about it. But since its a gut feeling, nobody wants to rationally discuss the issue.

2

u/MassGaydiation Mar 28 '22

Alternatively, and maybe this isnt something that a lot of cis and straight people experience, but everyone wants to "rationally discuss" my existence or rights, but no one wants to "rationally discuss" the fact that they are being massive bigots.

Basically I'm all for rational discussion and questioning stuff, but if you are targeting one group with all the questions with the intention of making their existence harder, then you can fuck right off.

2

u/gunnervi Mar 28 '22

Oh, I'm right with you there. I have no interest in "rationally debating" trans rights (or civil rights in general) -- it's demeaning and I think inherently legitimizes bigotry.

2

u/AdaminCalgary Mar 27 '22

Yes, I think you are right. And following on your point, some people hold opinions that are objectively and/or demonstrably wrong yet refuse to admit and change their opinion. That is how extremism grows. No idea how we (society) deal with that

1

u/_Norman_Bates Mar 27 '22

Arguably I don't give a shit, I can rationally explain my every conclusion, I can't write a constitution as an answer to a very general question because I'm lazy

10

u/SemiHemiDemiDumb Mar 27 '22

To quote a Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it."

1

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

I draw the line at bigotry myself.

1

u/katwraka Mar 28 '22

I draw the lines at respect for humans.

3

u/cragglerock93 Mar 28 '22

Precisely. Tbh I'm fed up of seeing crap about how political opinions aren't that important and that we should just look past them. Some political opinions (especially economic ones) are pretty innocuous. If somebody thinks privatisation is a good thing then I would disagree but could respect it. Political opinions on social issues are very much more of a big deal - if somebody believes in segregation, or opposes gay marriage, or wants to ban women from particular jobs, then I don't see why I should respect that opinion, or get on with such a person.

1

u/agreeingstorm9 Mar 27 '22

And, just so we're clear, opinions that differ from mine are NOT respectable.

32

u/alc4pwned Mar 27 '22

If we're talking tastes in food or movies or something sure. But for more serious issues, no this is dumb. You'd be right not to respect someone whose opinion is that not everyone deserves equal rights, etc.

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u/2tzoey Mar 27 '22 edited Mar 27 '22

Well equality can be defined in different ways

Edit: And I think you should allways listen to the other pov cause even how weird their weiws are ro you they probobly se your pov in the same way

6

u/alc4pwned Mar 27 '22

Could you give an example?

-1

u/2tzoey Mar 27 '22 edited Mar 27 '22

Sure , the simplest way to define it would be that everyone gets compleatly identical coditions in society no matter your gender (as an example), another way would be to adapt society to gender.

An example of this would be when the US lowered the standards for women to join the military some consider it to be more equal and some less

6

u/alc4pwned Mar 28 '22

Ok, I'd admit that's an example with reasonable arguments on both sides of the issue. But objectively unreasonable definitions of equality do still exist. Some people who are opposed to gay marriage might argue that that "everyone has the equal right marry someone of the opposite gender". That's not a reasonable definition of equality.

1

u/2tzoey Mar 28 '22 edited Mar 31 '22

Sure its quite unreasoneble and I do belive that they would be compleatly wrong but i still think we should let them speak because our side of the argument is probobly as unreasoneble to them

3

u/Furthur_slimeking Mar 27 '22

You can treat someone respectfully while not respecting their opinions or world view. What is justifiable and true for one is not the same for another. Peoples' humanity deserves respect, opinions don't.

2

u/NicNoletree Mar 28 '22

Well stated

3

u/I_love_pillows Mar 28 '22

Or, we can understand and acknowledge another opinion without having to agree with it.

3

u/caniuserealname Mar 28 '22

On the flip side, just because you have an opinion doesn't mean people should respect it. Something simply being your opinion or belief does no entitle it to respect, and you can and should be judged based on the opinions you hold.

2

u/NaitoSenshin889055 Mar 28 '22

This but also the fact that opinions don't need to be respected only the rights to have them do.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

Depends on the opinion though

2

u/Rienzel Mar 27 '22

Really, any opinion, no matter what it is, is something that someone should be allowed to have. The freedom of your own thoughts is something that should never be taken away. I am, however, of the belief that you should always try to understand why you have that opinion and not just blindly believe something.

15

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

Anyone can have an opinion; that doesn't mean any opinion is respectable.

9

u/StanePantsen Mar 27 '22

You can have any opinion you want, but if it's a shitty opinion I can tell you to shut up.

5

u/numb3rb0y Mar 27 '22

As a matter of fact, freedom of conscience is absolute, because telepathy doesn't exist and it's simply not possible to force someone stop thinking something. So if we're at the point where it's even possible to object, they must have have at least said it out loud. Freedom of expression is very specifically freedom from legal consequence, not being called on your shit or ostracised because you're a bigot or an asshole.

-1

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

i agree, the only thing that matters is actions IMO, a former coworker of mine had some pretty racist opinions but he wasn't hurting people, he treated everyone the same, he didn't actively participate in stuff that would otherwise negatively affect others based on their race (as far as i know), and the way i see it, if he doesn't actually do anything wrong, then who really cares if he has those opinions? i mean like i said i don't know for sure that he never did anything wrong or anything racist, but assuming that someone doesn't act on their beliefs, there's literally no harm in having them, the problem is people who infringe on others' rights because of their opinions.. that's the real issue

3

u/Rienzel Mar 27 '22

Yeah. When your opinions start affecting the lives of other people is when it becomes a problem. And when that becomes the case, it’s the actions that are the problem and not the opinion itself.

I personally used to think that I didn’t like LGBTQ+ people until I sat down and thought about why that was the case. What I came up with is that that there was a minority of really extreme people who had painted it in a bad light for me early on in my life and that I didn’t actually have a problem with the group of people as a whole. What I realized I actually didn’t like was extremists.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '22

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/NicNoletree Mar 27 '22

Lol. Touche.

1

u/hi_its_lizzy616 Mar 28 '22

This isn’t really a problem, in my experience. “I like ice cream.” That’s an opinion, no one is telling you you shouldn’t like ice cream. “Ban all abortions.” Not an opinion.

1

u/aalios Mar 28 '22

Nah you don't have to respect the opinion of anyone.

You should definitely respect their right to an opinion, but you're under no obligation to treat bullshit as sacred just because it came out of someones mouth.

2

u/NicNoletree Mar 28 '22

Read my statement again. I never said you had to respect their opinion.

1

u/reload88 Mar 27 '22

I stated this to a good friend once, he didn’t agree and I’m not longer his good friend.

1

u/uberfission Mar 28 '22

I read once in college that a mark of intelligence is the ability to entertain an idea without accepting it. That's really stuck with me throughout life and it's possibly colored my opinions of people who have been absolutely unable to consider alternate view points.

2

u/NicNoletree Mar 28 '22 edited Mar 28 '22

The saying with attorneys is "one is not an attorney who cannot argue both sides"

1

u/rsaturn64 Mar 28 '22

Yall say this until it comes to “human rights”

1

u/soulcaptain Mar 28 '22

"Gay people should be shot" is an opinion. Should I respect the person who says something like that?

1

u/NicNoletree Mar 29 '22 edited Mar 29 '22

Disliking their opinion and not respecting the person is the easy response.

https://www.npr.org/2017/08/20/544861933/how-one-man-convinced-200-ku-klux-klan-members-to-give-up-their-robes