The Nevada Sagebrush

Barry Belmont

The idea that something could be “true for me” as a matter of opinion is one of the single most flawed principles of belief that has ever existed. It entails that no truths exist about the world that are unalterable by a single human mind.

Let me be clear about what I am refuting here.

I am not saying that there are no subjective truths (for instance, my hunger is an actual case of a truth that is relevant only for me.)

But I am claiming that anyone who would contend that our perceptions of the world are unimpeachable simply because they are opinions is completely and unequivocally wrong.

There are true and false opinions.

This may come as quite a shock to some who have come to believe that all ideas and opinions are equally worth respecting.

If I believe that the moon does not exist, that it is merely an optical illusion caused by light from the sun bouncing in a certain way, I would be wrong. The moon is there whether or not any of us believe it is there. Nature does not care what we think.

Granted, the moon is a simple example of right and wrong beliefs, but why shouldn’t this logic apply to all beliefs?

Is it really any different to claim that the moon exists and that Zeus does not? Or that the belief in the efficacy of publicly humiliating children by beating them in front of their classmates (as is allowed in 20 states) is reprehensible and incorrect?

Beliefs held in all areas are important because they inform how people act. Holding incorrect opinions means holding false assumptions or incorrect interpretations of reality. If this isn’t a colossal problem facing our species right now, then I don’t know what is.

The dismissive claim that everyone is entitled to their own opinion misses the point of holding opinions entirely.

This assertion is often the refuge of those who have recognized their beliefs to be incorrect and yet refuse to repudiate them.

Why should anyone be satisfied in believing in something for which there is no reason or evidence?

There is nothing to respect about incorrect opinions. There is nothing noble in believing a proposition that is most certainly false or denying one that is most certainly true.

Reality is independent of nation or conviction; truth cannot be limited by anyone. What is “true for me” must be true for the world and thus true for you, too.

Obviously no matter how much I disagree with you, I am not going to drill into your head to let those bad ideas out.

I am not suggesting that violence or force is the means to correct incorrect opinions, but I do suggest we change the way we discuss right and wrong in our society.

Namely, I suggest that we realize they exist and stop pretending they don’t.

Barry Belmont would like this example to detonate in your mind: There are countries full of people whose reaction upon finding out their daughter was raped is to kill her for having shamed their family. Is this right or wrong? Barry also studies biology and mechanical engineering. Reach him at perspectives@nevadasagebrush.com.

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