(February 26, 2014 at 10:45 am)Tonus Wrote: Well, a discussion forum like this one is designed to allow us to express our opinions with the expectation that we explain why we hold those opinions. And I think people tend to define "opinion" as either "my preference" or "my belief" without distinguishing between them. I think olives taste terrible, for example. Is that my opinion (belief that I am required to defend) or just my particular preference (or lack thereof)? The latter requires nothing more than "I tasted them and they were terrible." The former requires that I explain why you should also think that they taste terrible, which is a very different beast.
I would say that regarding olives, you are only supposed to at least have tasted them before saying that they taste like shit. (That is at lest all that I require.) But if we actually would delve into why you think that olives are repugnant, there would be so many factors to take into consideration, that it wouldn't be worth it. I think olives are yummy, you yucky. As long as our difference of opinion doesn't lead to WWIII, I think it's safe to say that in this case it's actually and truly about opinion and preference, nothing more
When I was young, there was a god with infinite power protecting me. Is there anyone else who felt that way? And was sure about it? but the first time I fell in love, I was thrown down - or maybe I broke free - and I bade farewell to God and became human. Now I don't have God's protection, and I walk on the ground without wings, but I don't regret this hardship. I want to live as a person. -Arina Tanemura
