My original statement was imprecise, but I’m confused as to why you would take issue with the idea that there’s a distinction between statements that are and are not opinions.
Because statements that “can’t be confirmed or denied as matters of fact” are improper beliefs and shouldn’t be allowed to take precious attention in one’s mind. What you call “opinions” are either such statements and should be exorcised, or not, in which case whether they are to be confirmed or denied as matters of fact is the main and only question to entertain about them, the reason to keep them around, even if no further observations can help with knowing their status by indulging inefficient use of existing evidence.
Helped for what purpose? Have we made progress on the interpretation of your words where my arguments more easily apply? Do you see the problem with your statement now?
For normative statements, all the same points hold, but it’s more difficult to argue, and this position is less widely accepted. Let’s make sure we agree on factual side first.
Which statement of mine are you asking if I see a problem with? My original description of what distinguishes opinions was imprecise, but I was confused by the idea that you thought such a description was necessary at all. I still see no problem with stating that Mass_Driver’s assertion did not qualify as an opinion.
Because statements that “can’t be confirmed or denied as matters of fact” are improper beliefs and shouldn’t be allowed to take precious attention in one’s mind. What you call “opinions” are either such statements and should be exorcised, or not, in which case whether they are to be confirmed or denied as matters of fact is the main and only question to entertain about them, the reason to keep them around, even if no further observations can help with knowing their status by indulging inefficient use of existing evidence.
Would it have helped if I had said that opinions are normative rather than positive?
Helped for what purpose? Have we made progress on the interpretation of your words where my arguments more easily apply? Do you see the problem with your statement now?
For normative statements, all the same points hold, but it’s more difficult to argue, and this position is less widely accepted. Let’s make sure we agree on factual side first.
Which statement of mine are you asking if I see a problem with? My original description of what distinguishes opinions was imprecise, but I was confused by the idea that you thought such a description was necessary at all. I still see no problem with stating that Mass_Driver’s assertion did not qualify as an opinion.