The ability to hold opinions is a gift and a curse

We have the ability to form and hold opinions. We sometimes take this so lightly, but this is a truly fascinating and incredible concept. We are able to take information from outside ourselves, interpret it and form thoughts about how we feel about it. We can decide if we think something is right or wrong, if it is OK or not OK.

Clearly, I feel quite passionately about opinions. I mean, take a look at the name of the section my musings are in every week. However, it’s not just me. Most everyone I’ve ever spoken to for more than one minute has taken a stance on something. It doesn’t always have to be a big deal. It can be as simple as whether you think what someone says is interesting.

While we are blessed to have this ability, it does not come without a price. Our own opinions can become vices. All too often, we let our opinions divide us. We divide ourselves by political party, positions on social issues and ideas of how the world should function. We label and categorize ourselves. We relate to those who agree with us and argue with those who don’t — or worse, we ignore them completely.

Disagreement is healthy. Argument is healthy. The spreading of ideas is healthy. However, ignoring thoughts and ideas that conflict with your own is unhealthy.

When we only watch or read things that confirm our pre-existing ideas, we don’t grow as people. Our minds stay the same, our opinions stay the same and we stay the same. This doesn’t do anyone any good. I’m not saying you cannot view media that confirms your bias, but you cannot do this exclusively.

There are so many news sources and publications available, and only looking at those that confirm your beliefs is close-minded and wasteful. Any beliefs you have are direct results of exposure to something. It may have been something a friend or colleague said. It may have been based on what your family thinks. It may have been a story or news event. It may have been a particularly great Ted Talk. Just as easily as something cause you to formed an opinion, something else can change it. You may agree even more with a different idea, but you would never know because you don’t give it a chance.

If this doesn’t sway you, think about it like this: If your opinion cannot withstand conflicting opinions, how strong could it be? I challenge you to put your opinions to the test. Hold them up next to conflicting ones. Compare and contrast. Establish your thoughts, then contest them. Explain your views to others, and engage in a mature conversation about them. If someone disagrees, be ready to defend. “It’s just how I feel” doesn’t really cut it.

If you’re caught on the other side of this, don’t be afraid to ask why someone believes what they do. Challenge them. You may not change their mind, but you will get them to think more deeply, and is that not the ultimate goal? We are not all going to agree. This is why opinions are a concept in the first place.

We are fortunate, but we are cursed. We can reap the benefits of our good fortune while minimizing the effects of this curse of bias. I encourage you to do this. Challenge your beliefs. It will only make them stronger, after all. If they’re too weak to survive, it’s for the best.

Taylor Cavaliere is a UF journalism and psychology sophomore. Her column appears on Mondays.