Why Do Many People State Their Opinions As If They Are Facts?

[Lombax]

Why do people sometimes not respect the opinions of other people regarding a certain topic? Usually, when you say to them "i disagree with you" they will say "just listen to us, it is the truth" something like that but indirectly.

[Peter Pedant]

er - it has always been like that innit
( The boy who cried wolf etc.
the emperor has no clothes )

[jno]

self-righteousness and intolerance, usually

[ToraToraTora]

Often they are facts, just cherry picked to back up the view being expressed.

[pixie374]

I believe I do... and I try to make it clear whether something is just "my opinion". But- I also realise that with any subject at all, there are always opposing views, and if a thread here, seems to be one-sided, I always try to offer another. Which sometimes gets mistaken for what I think, or want.
It's my dad's fault, as a solicitor lol. Any opinion or view, I ever gave- he would always give an alternative, just to make sure I didn't go with the superficial, kneejerk reaction- and actually properly thought it through. There are always at least 2 sides... and with a media article... many more, including the actual truth.
Doesn't always work on AB though.

[pixie374]

Also though, there is a difference between provable facts and opinions- which shouldn't be confused. Shooting the messenger... doesn't change actual facts.

[ToraToraTora]

so your dad brainwashed you then pixie? :)

[pixie374]

You can't brainwash anyone- I think we have proven all that! But I did pick up some of his habits... no doubt.

[ToraToraTora]

it was TIC pixie but your view on the subject illustrates what the OP is getting at perfectly. You state as a fact that you can't be brainwashed yet the world is teeming with examples and it's only your opinion.

[pixie374]

Only because it "is" a fact. I could give many examples where I think it looks like someone has been "brwinwashed".
But, because I know it isn't physically possible- and has never been achieved yet. My opinion doesn't override "facts".
Out of interest- as I think I know what you are referring to. I have been vaccinated, and also had my children vaccinated. Was I "brainwashed," into that?

[pixie374]

I know it was semi- TIC. But, was I brainwashed or educated?

[ToraToraTora]

15:53, It's not a fact it's your opinion.

[pixie374]

No, it isn't. This was literally the point on my first post. My opinions aren't "facts ".
The fact is- nobody can be brainwashed. Millions have tried (particularly in the Army or captive situations) and nobody has ever succeeded.
My view, that it appears people sometimes are- is entirely irrelevant. Because- they can't be.
That was my point in the first place.
You didn't answer my question? And- have you got an example of one person, genuinely "brainwashed"?
Because, if you do... you will be the first- and seriously, could earn a fortune if you publicise this.

[ToraToraTora]

16:02, It's not a fact it's your opinion.

[pixie374]

Again. No.

[ToraToraTora]

here is how it allegedly shaped America:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-brainwashing-and-how-it-shaped-america-180963400/
Now of course this is just the opinion of the author.

[pixie374]

Still not answering the question?

[pixie374]

TTT, opinions are not facts. Neither is a colloquial use of the word "brainwashing". Do some research.

[chelle7272]

That is your opinion, not a fact.
Examples of brainwashing - religious cults and abusive relationships.
Just because a persons beliefs and behaviours can change again later, doesn't mean they weren't brainwashed at that time.

[ToraToraTora]

now I accept we may have a different definition of what constitutes brainwashing so we may be playing semantics here but throughout history people have been controlled by various techniques, the main one, is of course religion.

[ToraToraTora]

16:07, "TTT, opinions are not facts." - indeed I think my answers at 15:56 and 16:04 demonstrate that I have grasped that, you appear not to have, you keep stating that your opinion is a fact when it is demonstrably not. Perhaps you can define what you mean as "brainwashing" so we can at least check if we are talking about the same thing.