What Is an Opinion?

An opinion is an expressed or personally held viewpoint based on your current understanding of a subject, behavior, or action. An opinion is a personal judgment regarding your current position on a specific topic.

An opinion may be based on verifiable facts. Also, an opinion may be knowingly or unknowingly deceptive, meaning that facts are optional or just specific facts might be used and important facts may be omitted.

When an opinion is based on an ideology, which is a belief system belonging to a group, then you are not getting a genuine, honest personal opinion. Instead, you are getting an opinion influenced by a pre-established narrative.

We should acquire an open-minded thought process or way of thinking based on how we feel as individuals and we should not unconsciously mimic or parrot other people’s or group’s talking points. We must mentally stand on our own if we wish to preserve our individuality. You have your own distinct and unique personality, opinions, and mind. And your mind was intended for you, not for someone else to use it without your awareness or consent.

Social groups, traditions, and different cultures are necessary for modern societies to function, but when they infringe on our right to our own individuality, or we are pressured to adopt certain opinions, then it may be time to move away from and distance ourselves from that type of thinking or at minimum to be aware of what is happening. Make sure that your opinion is your own opinion.