Review: We left Part One
observing that without there being something in which to believe and without
there being a God, there remains no authority outside of one's own
existence. Thus no truth or reality can be validated. Such can be lonely
and leave one an intellectual hermit left to an "In My Opinion" world
of "reality."
Continuing then consider the notion
of...
In
My Opinion
Of course as has
already been viewed, there is a strong emphasis upon the individual in the IMO
statement. But then comes the question, “What
about the word opinion?”
Opinion
The word, “opinion”
originally came from the idea of “view or judgments founded upon probabilities.”
It comes then from a Latin word which included “conjecture, fancy, belief, what
one thinks, appreciation, and esteem” which then may be traced further back to
the idea to think, judge, suppose, or opine.*
Is it then possible
to conclude that one’s opinion is “conjecture founded upon probabilities?” Again we arrive at the question of what evidence
is allowed for there to be conjecture?
An attendant question is what evidence is allowed for there to be
probabilities?
My Opinion
In the previous post,
we have already established that in secularism the self or the collection of "selfs" is established as the
authority for the opinion. It follows then that all
authority exterior to the discussion is viewed as extraneous to any formation
of a truth claim.
Where one arrives is at the belief that the only
arbitrator of truth is internal to one's mind. Thus it is the prism of the self that refracts truth into its constituent shades. All must pass the gatekeeper of self. So very often in such discussions as take place, the words, "In my
opinion" are viewed as trumping any and all other authority.
Categories of IMO Statements
Such, "in my
opinion" statements then are of at least two kinds or types. There
is the inquiry IMO which suggests that a person really does not know but tend
to think something to be true, untrue, etc. It is more of a statement of
opinion in the sense of an inquiry, a search for reality.
Then there is the second
kind of IMO that establish the individual as the ultimate authority and
arbitrator of truth. Such a position
held long enough and expressed often enough gives one a sense of special truth
(discussed in other postings).
Considering the
differences in the two categories of IMO, the first is that of an
inquirer. That is tantamount to saying that the question remains under
study. The second is that of a final authority--that the matter has been
decided and here is the bottom line truth. Both say much about how the
individual views himself and his opinions!
However, neither of
these categories of IMO, makes one whit of difference to the reality of the
truth.
The
Outcomes, Intended and Otherwise
Intellectual Blindness
Expressed often
enough and validated by enough people there comes a certain egotistical haughtiness
about one’s own opinions. Such can lead
to a certain academic arrogance that accrues to the one who falls in love with
his own ideas.
This is a cyclical
process that thrusts the individual deeper and deeper into his own thinking to
the point that they become blinded to any counter to their reality. Even if heard, such counters are dismissed as
the stuff of the ignorant, intellectually deficient, and unschooled.
Returning to Part One
the parameters are drawn in such a way that even if genuine reality came
knocking at the front door it would not be recognized.
The Burden of Consequence
However there is yet
another unintended consequence. When one sets oneself up as the authority
then one bears the burden of the outcome of being such position as they
embrace. If an influential person or authority they then also have some
responsibility in the outcomes on the part of those they influence.
Again the "in my
opinion" does nothing at all, not one whit of anything to change the
reality of truth. As surely as one's opinion about the material universe
around us does nothing to influence or change any of the physical laws which
govern the universe, neither does such opinion as one holds in any way
influence the reality of the question of what is truth/reality.
The
Decent Into Chaos
Just as there must be
order for the universe for it to continue to function so too there is order to
genuine truth. Remove order from any epistemological
system and it will degrade further and further until all that remains is intellectual
chaos.
Choosing
the Decent into Chaos
One at this point is
confronted with a choice. Yes, confronted! Is it really
worth it to become the arbitrator of evidence for the truth and then to hold
your opinion as the truth that trumps all others? This is a very serious matter for the outcomes are dire for the one
making a wrong choice. Read
about them in the following observation which has been proven true for the better part of 2,000 years.
Romans
1:28-32 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God
gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29
being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy,
murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God,
insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31
without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although
they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy
of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who
practice them. NASU
Man certainly is vested with the authority to choose who or what is the basis of authority in his life and perspectives of reality but man cannot choose the outcomes and consequences of such choices as he makes!
_____________
* adapted
from http://www.etymonline.com/
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