Is Religious Forums Keeping You Sane?

[Heyo]

Just curious in what way do people value reasoned opinions? Maybe I'm not seeing things as they are, but I haven't noticed more than scant evidence that well reasoned and empirically evidenced arguments have much influence on people's views and opinions.

Of course, people can value reasoned opinions in any of several ways, such as they value their own reasoned opinions, but not other people's reasoned opinions. So, I'm curious what you meant by 'value' in this context.

Not speaking for @dybmh but as I agree with him and I value reasoned opinions:
1. People who give reasons for their opinion can be reasoned with. There is a principle possibility to change their opinion or reach some compromise by giving counter reasons or pointing out errors in their reasoning.
2. People citing evidence may give me new information. I like to learn and I fit my opinions to the facts.
3. The way people show how they value reasoned opinions on RF is by frubals. (Well, they also show how they like unreasoned opinions, so this is not a perfect indicator.) I guess you may find that some opinions have much more acclamation than others.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I've been here 16 years. I've seen reasoned opinions framed in all sorts of ways by all sorts of people on all sorts of subjects.

Still haven't seen more than scant empirical evidence they influence anyone's views or opinions. Theories aside, there is just no evidence for it, so far as I've found.

RF debates seem to help some people hone how they defend their views. Maybe that's the most anyone gets out of them that comes close to involving 'reasoning'.

Anecdotally, I'd say some discussions here have added nuance to my views from time to time, and sometimes softened my stance. They've also educated me on some topics.

Not much more than that, though.