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Are individual opinions of value?
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Opinions harm people because it encourages extreme and unconventional behaviors in society

Opposing opinions can create prejudices that harm people and society as a whole. Sexism, racism, classism, antisemitism, xenophobia, and homophobia were all started by opinions about a specific gender, race, etc... These opinions have caused hatred and injustice with different minority groups throughout history. Therefore, individual opinions are not of value because it encourages extreme and unconventional behaviors in society.
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The Argument

Opinions have caused a lot of trouble. Opinions have started fights, created unfit government leaders, and divide societies. An example of a leader who let their opinion ruin lives was Adolf Hitler. His anti-Semitic views existed before his time. Jewish people had been oppressed for their race and culture before World War 2.[1] Today’s current society s severed by racism, sexism, and classism. If it wasn’t for the opposing opinions that started these problems, the world would be a better place.

Counter arguments

There is no way to stop anyone from having harmful opinions. Opinions are justified by the individual often without proof or facts.[2] No one can control what another person thinks.

Premises

[P1] Opinions have caused trouble. [P2] Adolf Hitler oppressed Jews because of an opinion that started antisemitism. [P3] Opposing opinions created prejudices that hurt society.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] Not all opinions create prejudice.

References

  1. https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/go-in-depth/why-did-hitler-hate-jews/
  2. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/opinion
This page was last edited on Monday, 29 Jun 2020 at 23:33 UTC

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