The Laughing Wolf

Way of the Wolf: Opinions and Respect

There is something being presented in society today as a truism, even though it is not. This modern meme purports that every opinion must be respected. With all due respect, that is rubbish and is not the original ideal.

Instead, what we face are two distinct but related logical (and historical) fallacies. The fact is, everyone is entitled to have an opinion and to express said opinion. The fallacy is the meme that all opinions must be respected. The second fallacy is the forcing of the meme that respect for said opinion must equal acceptance of the moral equivalency of all opinions.

The first fallacy has crept into modern society over time, and it matters not if it is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the debate or no. If one goes back to the founding fathers and studies the debates, what was intended was that everyone (or those entitled to vote) was entitled to have an opinion and to be able to freely express same. Now, the intention and great hope was that all responsible people would have an informed opinion. That is, an opinion based on reason and the reasoned examination of the available facts.

This right was not to be abridged in any way or form. Hence, there was freedom of the press, which included not merely journalists, but all Citizens and the entire publishing industry including the production of pamphlets, broadsheets, books, etc. The government could only suppress treason and sedition, and even that was made as difficult as possible lest it be misused. A person was to be free to express their opinion verbally or in print, no matter the opinion.

The right to have an opinion and to express it must be respected, as a matter of law and as a matter of philosophy. This means that even those with whom we may violently disagree have the right to speak and be heard, to print and to be read, and to disseminate by any means their opinion. Yet, this is not fully practiced even now and is complicated by the attempt to change this very important meme such that it becomes the respect for the opinion, rather than simply the right to hold it.

The second fallacy picks up from there. It holds that as one has to respect the opinion, then all opinions must be equal. Each and every opinion and thought is valid and has the same moral equivalence. This particularly poisonous meme is the backbone of pseudo-intellectual though everywhere, and can be seen in those who hold terrorists and murderers to be soldiers and “freedom fighters” as opposed to cowardly psychopaths.

According to this variant of the respect meme, I could put forth the proposition that the forced introduction of people, even children, to the sexual arts was not merely good but mandated by ancient religious practices, rites, and beliefs. That said rites were protected, and ultimately beneficial to all those involved. Therefore, said practices and rights were equivalent to modern Christian of Judaic practices, and would have to be respected, both as an opinion and as a protected religious practice. As another example, I could claim that it is my opinion that members of one particular Scottish Clan were superior beings who were taller, faster, smarter, and should rule the world. Because it is expressed as an “opinion” it should automatically be respected, with respect meaning accepted as on par with all other opinions and laws pertaining to same.

The absolute absurdity of such claims is self-evident, yet the logical fallacy behind them and many other less obviously flawed arguments and claims is rarely acknowledged or challenged. Instead, many are moving toward the acceptance of the fallacy and the related memes because of ignorance, greed, and other related motivations. Anyone who follows the way must not blindly accept what is presented, but must examine the underpinnings just as they would with any argument or proposition.

When engaging in debate, discussion, or consideration, one must always look at the framework involved, not merely the arguments that drape it. The draping and associated bunting may be gorgeous, but if the framework is flawed then all the good looks in the world will not keep it or anything built on it from crashing in ruin. To try to build a life, a government, a civilization, or anything else on a lie is doomed, no matter how pretty and comfortable it is while it stands.

If you follow the way, you have several obligations in terms of opinions and respect.

First, you must base your own beliefs on a strong framework. Logic is a good structure, as is the associated framework of your core beliefs. You must ensure that your work has the solid foundation and structure to endure and to grow.

Second, you must drape your framework with reason and fact. Fantasy is nice, but it is rather insubstantial. It is a good way to leave a door to the future, but it is good for little else.

Third, you must respect the right of others to have and to express their opinion. This means that you must be willing to honor that even in those with whom you violently disagree. It matters not what is said, the right to say it must be guarded with your life, your fortune, and your sacred honor.

Fourth, it does not mean that you have to respect the opinion itself. You have an obligation to yourself and your fellow Citizens of the world to rip to shreds opinions based on emotionalism, fantasy ideologies, or other flights of fancy, lies, or distortions. The worst thing in the world is to stand and do nothing in the face of such ignorance and evil. You must, however, do so with logic, reason, and fact, lest you slip into the same error as the other party.

Fifth, fighting back is not necessarily slipping into error. Examine what you are doing, why you are doing it, and where you are going with it. If you are following the basic precepts of the way, and have a sound framework based on truth and reason, then it is not error.

Sixth, you have an obligation to set an example, to lead. Shine forth, and guide others by your words and your actions.

Free speech is never free, there is always a cost. Those costs include having speech that is hateful, ignorant, or even evil and protecting that speech. It also includes pointing out errors, distortions, lies, logical fallacies, and more. It means putting forward fact and your own opinions. Do so, for in that way debate and discourse are encouraged, and we are all the better for it.

Remember that while you do have to respect the right to have an opinion, there is no requirement whatsoever to respect the opinion itself.

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