Opinion vs Truth

 

Opinion vs. Truth: The Foundations of Mental Integrity

The Irrelevance of Opinion and the Validity of Truth

Opinion is a subjective interpretation of reality, shaped by personal biases, experiences, emotions, and limited knowledge. Truth, on the other hand, is objective—it exists independent of personal perception. The reason opinion is ultimately irrelevant is that it does not determine reality. Reality exists as it is, regardless of how we feel about it. Truth is valid because it corresponds to reality—it is consistent, measurable, and verifiable.

Despite this, people often believe that opinion holds more weight than truth. This occurs because human cognition is naturally egocentric; we tend to believe that our personal perspective is central to understanding the world. Additionally, social validation plays a crucial role: when a group of people shares an opinion, it can create an illusion of truth. Emotional investment further entrenches opinion, making it difficult to separate subjective belief from objective fact.

How Our Minds Construct Opinion: The Process of Integration

The process of forming an opinion is a mental calculation involving the integration of multiple factors. This integration is how our brains weigh and prioritize information to arrive at a conclusion. The steps involved in this process include:

1. Perception of Data – We receive sensory input and information from external sources (news, personal experience, social interactions).

2. Cognitive Filtering – We unconsciously filter information based on our biases, experiences, and expectations.

3. Association with Prior Knowledge – We compare new information to what we already “know” (whether true or false).

4. Emotional Weighting – We assign emotional significance to the data, prioritizing what aligns with our desires, fears, or existing beliefs.

5. Selective Emphasis – We emphasize certain factors over others, sometimes disregarding contradictory evidence.

6. Conclusion Formation – Based on the weighted and filtered information, we arrive at an opinion.

7. Social Reinforcement – Our opinion is reinforced (or challenged) by external validation, strengthening or weakening our belief.

The problem arises when we fail to analyze whether the factors we’ve drawn from align with truth. Many opinions are formed on partial information, misinterpretation, or selective reasoning. Without scrutiny, opinions become detached from reality.

The Role of Mental Integrity in Opinion Formation

Mental integrity is the ability to align one’s opinions with objective truth. It requires:

• Self-awareness – Recognizing our biases and emotional influences.

• Critical thinking – Actively questioning the validity of our sources.

• Logical consistency – Ensuring our conclusions follow rational principles.

• Intellectual humility – Being open to the possibility of being wrong.

When we analyze individual factors in our opinions, we should ask:

• Does this information have empirical evidence?

• Is it logically sound, or is it based on fallacies?

• Have I considered counterarguments fairly?

• Am I choosing this belief because it feels good or because it is true?

Reevaluating Our Opinions: How Flexible Are We?

The ability to reevaluate our opinions depends on:

• Cognitive Rigidity vs. Openness – Some individuals resist change, while others seek truth regardless of discomfort.

• Social Pressure – If our identity is tied to a belief, we resist change to avoid alienation.

• Emotional Investment – The more emotionally tied we are to an opinion, the harder it is to let go.

• Exposure to Contradictory Evidence – Without new perspectives, reevaluation rarely happens.

If we conduct an honest review, we can adjust our stance, aligning closer with truth. However, most people do not actively engage in this process. Instead, they double down on their beliefs, experiencing cognitive dissonance when faced with conflicting evidence.

The Entrenchment of Opinion vs. the Influence of Others

Opinions become entrenched through repetition, emotional reinforcement, and social validation. Once we adopt an opinion, our brains seek confirmation (confirmation bias), filtering out contradictory evidence. However, people are also highly susceptible to external influence, especially from authoritative figures, peer pressure, and media manipulation. The paradox is that while we resist changing our own opinions, we are easily swayed by others when the social or emotional incentives are strong enough.

Conclusion

Truth is valid because it exists independently of belief. Opinion, while part of human experience, is ultimately irrelevant unless it aligns with truth. Mental integrity requires constant self-examination, intellectual humility, and a commitment to objective reality. The more we allow emotions and social pressure to dictate our beliefs, the further we stray from truth. Only through conscious effort can we break free from the illusion that opinion holds more weight than reality.