Having an Opinion vs. Being Opinionated

¶ … Opinionated

Having an Opinion vs. Being Opinionated

Comparison/Contrast Essay

Having an Opinion vs. Being Opinionated

Comparison/Contrast Essay

It is possible to differentiate 'having an opinion' from 'being opinionated'. This work in writing will examine the difference between simply having an opinion to express and the individual who is known as being 'opinionated'. It is the opinion of the writer of this work that it is good to have opinions however, to be opinionated is surely not a good thing but is instead a restrictive self-appointed limitation.

Defining the Meaning of the Words 'Opinion' & 'Opinionated'

The definitions for the words 'opinion' and 'opinionated' are examined for the purpose of this brief essay. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines the two words as follows:

(1) Opinion -- a view, judgment or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter, belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge; a generally held view; a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert; the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based. Words synonymous with the word opinion are stated to include those of: view, belief, conviction, persuasion, verdict, view, sentiment meaning a judgment one holds as true. An opinion is also described as an individual conclusion already thought out, yet open to dispute. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2010) and (2) Opinionated -- unduly adhering to one's own opinion or to preconceived notions. This word is synonymous with the following words: doctrinaire, dogmatic, opinionative, opinioned, pontifical, self-opinionated." (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2010)

III. Comparison and Contrast of the Words Opinion and Opinionate

It is necessary now to analyze the difference in the definitions of the words 'opinion' and 'opinionated'. The word opinion is viewed as a "belief" by the authority of word definition the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and synonymous are words such as conviction, persuasion, view or sentiment. Therefore, opinion is something that the individual has formulated through their experiences, knowledge, social, political, and behavioral influences in their life as well as the socio-cultural context in which they live out their existence. Naturally any individual can attest to the fact that many of their beliefs are those which have been traditionally and historically inherited and that many times that the individual has failed to question but instead simply held to be true without actual qualification. For example, this writer has the opinion that examining such issues as are examined in this essay is a good and healthy academic pursuit and for many reasons of intellectual and critical thinking benefit.

While being a form of the word 'opinion', the word 'opinionated' is one that describes a phenomenon that occurs in some individuals who are overly and religiously committed to their own personally held beliefs on a subject. Such an individual disregards the facts or ideas presented by other individuals. The opinionated individual is one who has made up their mind, and for whatever reason, have rigidly set their mind to believe that their present belief can be the only authentic belief on a subject closing the doors of that subject to any further speculation and thereby closing the doors to the individual's very mind which brings the gears of the mind to a grinding halt. In fact, the writer of this work has the opinion that the mind, once having become consistently unchallenged, will simply digress due to stagnation.

IV. The Value of Questioning One's Personally Held Opinions

Questioning ones' personally held opinion on a matter is just as important as understanding the difference between having an opinion vs. being opinionated. The 'Psychology Today' online website states the following as a definition of someone who is known to be 'opinionated':

OP (Opinionated Person): yadda, yadda, yadda (expressing an unsolicited adamantly held opinion). (Psychology Today, 2010_

There certainly is someone that each individual has known or will know who fits this description. However, if one does not know such an individual then one certainly can visualize one such as the dogmatic individual many of which are prevalent in today's society and one that rigidly adheres to dogmatic beliefs associated with religion or tradition. As such their beliefs are based upon myths or misunderstanding and even misapplication of meaning rather than that of actual knowledge.

Summary and Conclusion