John Jackson © UK-Skeptics

“I’m entitled to my opinion”, “you’re entitled to your opinion”. Both of these expressions come up frequently in debates but what do people mean by them and are they of any relevance in a debate?

I’m entitled to my opinion

Anyone who is not impressed by Tom’s argument has a good right not to be; it is entirely vacuous. Nevertheless, this argument is put forward frequently in debates as if it has some merit.

Entitlement.

What do people mean when they claim to have an entitlement to an opinion? Well, the term ‘entitled’ is equivocal so we need to look at what is meant by the different meanings.

1. Legal.
   
   In the UK we have a right to free speech and free thought. This means that we can hold any opinion that we choose; however, this legal entitlement does not distinguish between valid opinion and invalid opinion. It simply means that we are entitled to an opinion no matter how right or wrong it may be.
   
   
2. Epistemic - (Of, relating to, or involving knowledge).
   
   In an epistemic sense, entitlement is an earned right. It’s where a person has a right to an opinion because it is based on evidence or knowledge for example. In other words, there are good reasons for holding such an opinion. Opinions need to be justified and this distinguishes between valid and invalid opinion.

As can be seen, the two meanings of ‘entitled’ are quite different to each other. In fact, they are the opposite of each other. (1) states that we have the right to believe anything, with no regard as to whether it’s true; (2) states that we are only entitled to opinions that we can justify, which means having good reasons for holding them.

Its use as an argumentative tactic.

If we look at Tom’s argument, he’s using it in sense (1) – he does have a right to an opinion in this sense; however, he’s implying that his right to an opinion somehow justifies his claim – as in sense (2).

Claiming a right to an opinion in sense (1) adds absolutely nothing to the argument. It is a complete irrelevance that does nothing to resolve the disagreement. Tom may as well have pointed out that he disagrees with Jerry because Ostriches can’t fly! Changing the subject of the argument to whether one is entitled to an opinion merely introduces an irrelevance: the ‘red herring’ fallacy.

If Tom was claiming that he’s entitled to an opinion because he has good reasons for holding it, as in sense (2), then his claim carries more weight. Of course Jerry may also feel justified in claiming an entitlement to his opinion too. If their views differ, then one (possibly both) of them is wrong. If two people claim to be entitled to their opinion (2), how can the argument be resolved? By examining both of their arguments and finding out which has the best reasons to support their conclusion. In other words, by resolving the original argument!

You’re entitled to your opinion

Again, Tom is using the fact that a person is entitled to an opinion as an argumentative tactic but this time in completely the opposite manner. This usage is a rather condescending way of someone telling another person that they don’t agree with them as it includes the assumption that the person saying it is right (perhaps without having even stated their side of the argument) and they know the other person is wrong.

It is nothing more than a statement of presumption and is the Bare Faced Assertion fallacy (I’m right, you’re wrong – because I say so) therefore it is also a complete irrelevance in a debate.

Conclusion.

“Entitled to an opinion” is often used in debates as a defence of a belief or stance on a subject. Whether it’s used to end a debate (1), to add weight to a person’s position (2) or to reject an opponent’s argument, it is equally useless as a debating tactic.

Debates can only be resolved by presenting sound arguments with supporting evidence. Stating one’s rights and entitlements adds nothing to the debating process. Having a right to an opinion does not make that opinion right – or wrong.