Belief in Opinions
After Belief-Type 1 in science and Belief-Type 2 in faith issues, we arrive at Belief-Type 3, beliefs in subjective evaluations about yourself, other peoples and ideas. Welcome to the world of your opinions.
We’re all entitled to our own opinions.
Nobody is entitled to their own facts.
We can hold opinions regarding ideas (political, artistic, social, popular and more) and other people and we can also hold opinions regarding ourselves. They are all subjective and may be far removed from reality.
Self-opinions: subjective self-beliefs
As a clinical psychiatrist, I spend much time helping people move away from harmful self-opinions such as
I am worthless and unlovable
My relationships always fail
I’ll die in three years so I need to live it up now
If my friends get drunk, I should too
If someone wants sex, I can’t refuse.
Objectively, these opinions are neither true nor false. They either have subjective value to an individual or they don’t. To change these doesn’t mean changing objective reality or a faith system, it means changing an opinion, a belief.
In my office, I come across a variety of problem beliefs: obsessional, nihilistic, delusional, depressive, beliefs that reflect poor personal boundaries, or beliefs which are distortions of reality. Self-opinions, are relevant to an individual only. Negative self-opinions can make life a misery so, in therapy, we aim to change them to improve life.
Subjective beliefs about others and ideas
Opinions may also be about ideas, things (politics, religions, music, artists) or other people. They may be “first impressions” or “judgments” and they are often false, wrong or misguided, but not always. It is helpful to doubt first impressions and judgments, because they’re based on scant information, yet they take hold quickly. Our brains develop beliefs quickly to help us negotiate a new experience or the complexities of a new person. With more time, exposure and information, however, our evaluations can become more accurate, but only if we change them.
People are extraordinarily complex; any first impression judgment of them will be limited and inaccurate. It’s best to take time to get to know people, find more objective information and reappraise our judgments often.
What influences our self-opinions?
These:
Mental states
Childhood templates
Knowledge, Emotions and Will
Net post, I’ll consider knowledge, emotions and will. Here I’ll discuss the mental states and childhood templates which influence our self-opinions.
MENTAL STATES. Harmful or problematic self-opinions often result from mental illness or trauma. Anxiety can lead to the belief I’m going to die in three years. Depression can lead to the belief I’m worthless and unlovable. These beliefs can subside when mental illness resolves. Trauma can lead to chronic problematic mental states and beliefs such as if someone wants sex from me I can’t refuse and if friends get drunk, I must too. Overcoming these often needs long-term psychotherapy.
CHILDHOOD TEMPLATES (schemas, complexes, patterns) are implanted into each of us at an early age by the people around us. We all have them. They can be helpful or unhelpful. Most self-opinions, positive or negative, have their roots in childhood. A child told daily you won’t amount to much or you’re such a loser will grow up thinking I’m no good, a loser, worthless, or I’ll never make a relationship last. A child told daily you’re OK, mommy loves you is more likely to grow up thinking I’m OK and loveable, my relationships will be OK.
Childhood experience shapes the adult.
We have a mix of useful and useless childhood templates. Problematic childhood templates can shift through psychotherapy, understanding, accepting and resolving inner conflicts, learning how the past shapes the present and how past relationships are reflected in current relationships.
Become aware of your self-opinions by asking yourself
What repeated patterns play out in my life?
Who and what influenced me when I was very young?
What “lessons” does life keep throwing at me?
These will point you towards the problematic childhood templates you may want to change. Remember, you have many helpful childhood templates that you take for granted. If your templates pose big problems, you may need professional help.
A more nuanced definition of “belief”
Having considered 3 Belief-Types – in objective fact and theory, in faith issues, and in opinions, we can understand some of the contradictions and wide range of meanings for “belief”.
BELIEF IN OBJECTIVE FACT & THEORY is what dictionaries mean by
A conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of a phenomenon based on examination of evidence.
It encompasses belief in
Objective Facts: I believe that snow is white
Objective Theories: I believe in the theory of evolution
Hypotheses and Speculations: I don’t believe she has psychic powers
Belief in science involves the real world. It aims to be objective. It looks at what is accepted, logical and what can be observed and shared. It reflects reality. We collectively believe and change our belief in objective fact and theory according to evidence. This involves faith in science and trust in scientists.
BELIEF IN FAITH ISSUES is what dictionaries mean by
An acceptance that something exists or is true without proof.
An idea that you are certain is true involving religion.
A feeling of certainty that something exists or is true:
His belief in God
People's belief in politicians
It encompasses
Issues of Faith: I do/don’t believe in God.
Some subjective experiences: I believe I may have seen a ghost.
Belief in Faith Issues involves the unknown; it is more subjective and is more dependent on people and cultural heritage. For the individual, it is informed by emotion, will, personal experience, knowledge, reason and by other people.
BELIEF IN OPINIONS is what dictionaries mean by
Something that is accepted as true or held as an opinion.
A state of mind or a habit of mind involving trust or confidence.
It encompasses
Subjective evaluations with or without evidence: He’s a good father.
Subjective evaluations which may be unhelpful, yet we annoyingly believe: I’ll die in three years; I’m cursed; I’m worthless & unlovable.
I’ll now propose a definition of “belief” to encompass all three Belief-Types:
Belief is a constantly held thought that something is the case. It is supported by faith, trust and confidence. Belief is assumed reality in three areas: the knowable world, the unknowable world and the world of opinions. Beliefs can change.
Cheers.