Q&A: Decision-Making, Forming an Opinion
Decision-Making, Forming an Opinion
Question
Hello Michi, I have a question that really bothers me: there are so many opinions in the world, and opposing opinions at that—how is an ordinary person like me supposed to form an opinion for himself or decide what is right and what is not? For example, on the issue of the judicial reform: I felt like I was drowning in a sea of opinions, and it seemed like everyone had something to say, but as someone who really has no knowledge of the subject, I didn’t know how to form an opinion, because everyone brings arguments this way and that, and as an observer from the side you feel pretty lost..
Answer
There are no magic paths, and there is no point looking for an easy life. If you want to form a position, you have to enter into the issue and not just take what others say. That doesn’t mean you need to be a professional in every field. Listen to what everyone says, and then form a position. Of course, you will never have certainty, and the humility that accompanies that knowledge is only a blessing. I wrote here a few days ago that my mother used to say that if you want to do market research about a washing machine, you should go around among professionals and ask each one what he says about the drawbacks of the other machine. That is very effective in theoretical issues too. Ask the supporters of the reform what they say about the arguments of the opposing side, and vice versa.