O is for Opinion {Blogging through the Alphabet}

Opinion

~a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge (according to Google search)

Mind speaks to mind, that is how opinions are formed. The definition above is, in my opinion, incorrect. What makes it incorrect is the last part that opinions may not be based on knowledge. If one has no knowledge of something, one cannot make an opinion. Perhaps that is a little technical, but knowledge is knowing about something however briefly, which means that one can form an opinion. Google search agrees with me even if it doesn't realize it (emphasis is my own):

• facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject
• awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation

Either of those suggests that there is a basis for an opinion to be made.

"There is another form in which the magnanimous citizen of the future must be taught in the sense of justice. Our opinions show our integrity of thought. Every person has many opinions whether his own honestly thought out, or notions picked up from his pet newspaper or his companions. The person who thinks out opinions modestly and carefully is doing his duty as truly as if he saved a life because there is no more or less about duty." ~Charlotte Mason, "A Philosophy of Education," pp. 61-62 

Later in the same section Charlotte talks about 'catch-words floating in the air' that the mind catches and uses to form opinions. Perhaps we'd call them 'buzzwords' now. Even when a person has no idea truly what a word means,  what situation it conveys, they can form an opinion about it just from hearing the word. That doesn't however mean that they have formed a valid opinion and are not just talking to talk.

"We have seen the value of habit in mind and morals, religion and physical development. It is as we have seen disastrous when child or man learns to think in a groove, and shivers like an unaccustomed bather on the steps of a new notion. This danger is perhaps averted by giving children as their daily diet the wise thoughts of great minds, and of many great minds; so that they may gradually and unconsciously get the courage of their opinions. If we fail in this duty, so soon as the young people get their 'liberty' they will run after the first fad that presents itself; try it for awhile and then take up another to be discarded in its turn, and remain uncertain and ill-guided for the rest of their days." ~Charlotte Mason, "A Philosophy of Education," p. 104

Opinions are important to have, yet they need to be well-founded. The way to be able to do this is to have a 'daily diet the wise thoughts of great minds, and of many great minds.'

"Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction." ~Proverbs 10:14

"The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness [perversity]." ~Proverbs 10:32

 O is for Opinion in this entry for Blogging through the Alphabet. See others' entries at Ben and Me or search abcblogging.