"It's just my opinion"

[jeremy3220]

So here's my abstract topic of the day... I hear this phrase used in discussions sometimes in a way so that the speaker wishes to imply their contention(i.e. opinion) is something where evidence for or against is not applicable to the contention.

Before discussing if those who use the phrase are right in thinking so I want to ask - what does the phrase "It's just my opinion" mean in the literal sense?

Could this mean that the speaker's stated belief(i.e. opinion) is not an assertion(i.e. statement of truth)?

Is anything really ever just an opinion? In other words, is there a difference between something that 'is an opinion' and something that 'is just an opinion'?



For a frame of reference I'll give a totally abstract example of a statement: "It is just my opinion but I think robots are eating old people's medicine."
Can the speaker really escape this being an assertion where logic and evidence are necessary? My thought is no, the speaker is asserting robots are eating old people's medicine; the fact that it is their opinion is irrelevant to whether or not the contention has truth function. But I want to find out if others could share their thoughts on this strange phrase.


P.S. Another issue is raised when we consider this type of phrase. When they say "It's just my opinion" are they asserting that it is just their opinion... or is it just their opinion that it is just their opinion?

[tuffythepug]

I'll have to digest this a bit before I can offer an opinion and when I do it will be "just my opinion" .    For now let me just offer this;   It the printed word it is impossible to tell whether someone is accenting the word "just" or "my".   Obviously the meanings are quite different accordingly.    If the accent is on "just" it could indicate that the writer is minimizing the importance of their opinion or possibly admitting that the belief is not necessarily substantiated by any sort of facts.   If the accent is on "my" then it would indicate that the writer is letting you know that their opinion is not shared by everyone.    Of course the writer may have meant for the accent to be on "opinion" which would let us know that the belief is indeed lacking in data to back up the claim.

I know this has shed no light at all on the central questions but it's just an observation.

[jeremy3220]

I'll have to digest this a bit before I can offer an opinion and when I do it will be "just my opinion" .    For now let me just offer this;   It the printed word it is impossible to tell whether someone is accenting the word "just" or "my".   Obviously the meanings are quite different accordingly.    If the accent is on "just" it could indicate that the writer is minimizing the importance of their opinion or possibly admitting that the belief is not necessarily substantiated by any sort of facts.   If the accent is on "my" then it would indicate that the writer is letting you know that their opinion is not shared by everyone.    Of course the writer may have meant for the accent to be on "opinion" which would let us know that the belief is indeed lacking in data to back up the claim.

I know this has shed no light at all on the central questions but it's just an observation.

In this sense I'm referring to the statement meaning it is only an opinion (not necessarily that the opinion is central to the speaker).

[Zohn]

"It's just my opinion" - The famous opinion of the conformist...
I know a couple ( mostly politicians)

[Queequeg]

Many statements of conjecture may be subject to the scrutiny of facts that will support the writer's view, or conversely fly in the face of it. For example, the world is flat.
Some judgments are based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence. (To posit a theory, if you will.)
On the other hand, many statements are simply a matter of opinion, i.e: rosewood sounds better than mahogany or Julian Bream is a better player than John Williams. In such instances, no amount of exhaustive study is likely to produce certain facts to support said claims.
The phrase in question, "just my opinion" gets used here sometimes to avoid controversy, less often perhaps even to avoid scrutiny.
We have the right to be misinformed and/or uninformed. One of the privileges of living in a free country. And we are given ample opportunity to exercise it.

[bearsville0]

It is an odd phrase, and if we spoke more accurately we might say "in my view of things...." and I generally interpret that to mean that we don't have all the facts available to defend our statements about the world or that there is not enough consensus or alignment of views in the community to cross the line into "fact" (ha ha).

But then, since we RARELY, if ever, especially on a forum like this, have all the facts available, I propose that we universally drop the statement "in my opinion" with the understanding that it is completely  unnecessary because whatever we are likely to say will only ever be just our opinions.

[ducktrapper]

Some opinions are based on factual knowledge, some on textual knowledge and some on nothing much at all. The last are often the strongest held, however.

[unclrob]

I should wait until I've had more coffee but what the heck.For me its just that,a simple statement of belief at the time.Whether fact or fiction,an opinion is just that.But as I say what do I know.The problem is that there is always going to be someone or a group of someone's that are either going to agree or jump down your throat and tell you that your/my opinion is wrong and your stupid.By the way good morning,well thats my opinion at least.

[Queequeg]

Opinions can vary based on reality.
People have differing realities, each one as valid as the other.
The reality of a poor child growing up in a developing country is significantly different than that of a middle-aged man born into privilege or royalty.
Their "realities" or perspectives and thus their opinions on a wide range of subjects will find more than a few points of divergence.

[ducktrapper]

Opinions can vary based on reality.
People have differing realities, each one as valid as the other.
The reality of a poor child growing up in a developing country is significantly different than that of a middle-aged man born into privilege or royalty.
Their "realities" or perspectives and thus their opinions on a wide range of subjects will find more than a few points of divergence.

Reality? What a concept! In my opinion, that which we call opinion must necessarily be based on insufficient or "available" evidence. So ... what do you call it when one holds fast to the same opinion despite the evidence or lack thereof?

[bearsville0]

So ... what do you call it when one holds fast to the same opinion despite the evidence or lack thereof?

Utter panic   

[ducktrapper]

Utter panic   

Hmmm. Maybe just as they let go. Some things and ideas just get outdated. Ever tried to find a pay phone these days? If the call's important, you could start to panic.   

[ronmac]

So ... what do you call it when one holds fast to the same opinion despite the evidence or lack thereof?

Politics?

Religion?

Brand Fanboy?

Soccer Fan?

Average Joe?

There are several takers that answer to that question. 

[prof_stack]

Sometimes the validity of the opinion depends on the (perceived) status and office of the person uttering the opinion.

If Eric Clapton says that a 000 Martin is better for his acoustic music, and I disagree, who would people more likely believe?

[jeremy3220]

So what about when the phrase is said in response to an attack on one's position?

Ask yourself, does responding "It's just my opinion" have substance in this case or is it redundant? The Webster definition of opinion is "a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter". It is already understood that they hold the position, so to respond "It's just my opinion" the speaker must be wishing to convey something extraneous. Most likely they are wishing to convey not only that they hold a certain position on the matter but that the truth concerning this particular matter is subjective and so their position doesn't need to hold up to the rigors of evidence or reason.

[NotRevGDavis]

In my opinion the opinions stated here are are opinions belonging to others not opinions stated by myself so in my opinion "it's just my opinion". 

[ffinke]

There is only one fact in life: MY (fill in your name) opinion is the only one that bears any credibility and I (fill in your name) will humbly tell you what to think!!!


f


ps/ ...almost forgot: IMHO!

[jeremy3220]

Sometimes the validity of the opinion depends on the (perceived) status and office of the person uttering the opinion.

This is what Locke called argumentum ad verecundiam aka the fallacy of appeal to authority. In the Clapton example you gave the validity depends on his opinion being subjective. In other words, in this case Clapton gets to decide what's "better".

[bearsville0]

This is what Locke called argumentum ad verecundiam aka the fallacy of appeal to authority. In the Clapton example you gave the validity depends on his opinion being subjective. In other words, in this case Clapton gets to decide what's "better".

The appeal of the appeal to authority is that it excuses us from being responsible for the statements we make.  We also prefer drama over truth.

It has more dramatic impact to say "Endorsed by Eric Clapton (aka "God")"  rather than "Bearsville0 likes Larrivees more than Martin's."

[Danny]

  A persons opinion is an expression of his self. But to say it's "just my opinion" may be an act of meekness, I say "may be", meaning "I could be wrong" or "I might be persuaded by a differing view".

   Which for me would be to just say "It's just my view". My take, or the angle I see it by. How do you see it?

                              But the opinion for me is more connected to the Self.