I'm entitled to my opinion: Difference between revisions
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'''I'm entitled to my opinion''' or '''I have a right to my opinion''' is a common declaration in [[rhetoric]] or [[debate]] that can be made in an attempt to persuade others to hold the opinion. When asserted for this reason, the statement exempifies an informal [[logical fallacy]] of the type [[Ignoratio elenchi|red herring]]. Whether one has a particular entitlement or right is irrelevant to whether their assertion is true or false. To assert the existence of the right is a failure to assert any [[justification (epistemology)|justification]] for the opinion. |
'''I'm entitled to my opinion''' or '''I have a right to my opinion''' is a common declaration in [[rhetoric]] or [[debate]] that can be made in an attempt to persuade others to hold the opinion. When asserted for this reason, the statement exempifies an informal [[logical fallacy]] of the type [[Ignoratio elenchi|red herring]]. Whether one has a particular entitlement or right is irrelevant to whether their assertion is true or false. To assert the existence of the right is a failure to assert any [[justification (epistemology)|justification]] for the opinion. |
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It can sometimes be an instance of the formal fallacy of [[equivocation]] when any of the various concepts of 'a right' - [[right|legal rights]], [[natural rights]] or [[entitlement]] are confused. |
It can sometimes be an instance of the formal fallacy of [[equivocation]] when any of the various concepts of 'a right' - [[right|legal rights]], [[natural rights]] or [[entitlement]] are confused. The word entitled is often used when the speaker means named or titled, as in: "...the book was entitled Quo Vadis." This is, of course, poor usage and must be avoided by careful speakers and writers. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 21:37, 25 August 2009
I'm entitled to my opinion or I have a right to my opinion is a common declaration in rhetoric or debate that can be made in an attempt to persuade others to hold the opinion. When asserted for this reason, the statement exempifies an informal logical fallacy of the type red herring. Whether one has a particular entitlement or right is irrelevant to whether their assertion is true or false. To assert the existence of the right is a failure to assert any justification for the opinion.
It can sometimes be an instance of the formal fallacy of equivocation when any of the various concepts of 'a right' - legal rights, natural rights or entitlement are confused. The word entitled is often used when the speaker means named or titled, as in: "...the book was entitled Quo Vadis." This is, of course, poor usage and must be avoided by careful speakers and writers.
References
- Whyte, Jamie, ch. 1., 'The Right to Your Opinion', Crimes Against Logic, McGraw-Hill, 2004
See also
External links
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