I was reading an article that discussed the difference between an opinion and informed opinion. With an informed opinion you can argue your point and the debate doesn't fall apart in a second. The example they gave was actually anti-vaccine types debating with scientists. These people wanted their opinions to be heard and respected in the same way the scientists were but they weren't informed opinions at all.

I guess we always form opinions on incomplete knowledge because really we can't know everything. However to form an opinion on no knowledge seems to be happening more or at least I'm noticing it more. I found this is a very common thing in the small town I grew up in where parents, instead of teaching their kids how to think, told them what to think. So now they have this opinion and you ask them why and they kind of just stare at you. I find this with many women too who just believe what their husbands said and don't actually question it. It's insane too me and others who have moved on from small towns.

In my discussion with with one man he came into a conversation saying he didn't like what they were planning to do about First Nations issues this year so I asked what specifically he didn't like about the plan... He didn't know what the plan was. I can almost guarantee though, his father gave him some opinion about First Nations and he stuck with it because this is a person he respected.

It's true about changing your opinion, and I think people are protecting their pride when they refuse to admit they made an error. Generally if I'm making an opinion on little knowledge I'll make that clear. Although some people see that as a sign of weakness I personally don't. I don't think having rigid opinions is a virtue because realistically there will always be something else we can learn. Having rigid opinions stops growth.