The Distinction Between Opinion and Sense: A Philosophical Journey to Knowledge

Summary: In the grand tapestry of human understanding, few distinctions are as fundamental yet frequently blurred as that between opinion and sense. While opinion represents a subjective belief, often unverified and prone to change, and "sense" primarily refers to raw sensory perception or intuitive understanding, true knowledge emerges from a rigorous process that transcends both. This article, drawing from the profound insights found within the Great Books of the Western World, will illuminate this critical distinction, guiding us toward a more robust and justifiable comprehension of reality.

The Ephemeral Realm of Opinion: Plato's Doxa

From the ancient Greeks, particularly Plato, we learn about doxa, or opinion. An opinion is a personal belief or judgment that may or may not be based on fact or reason. It is inherently subjective, often arising from persuasion, habit, or limited information. Think of it as the shadows on the wall in Plato's Allegory of the Cave – mere reflections, not the true forms themselves.

  • Characteristics of Opinion:
    • Subjective: Varies from person to person.
    • Unverified: Lacks rigorous testing or justification.
    • Changeable: Can shift easily with new influences or moods.
    • Lacks Certainty: Offers no guarantee of truth.
    • Based on Belief: Often rooted in feeling or personal conviction rather than objective evidence.

The danger, as philosophers have long warned, lies in mistaking our cherished opinions for unassailable truth. When we cling to opinions without critical examination, we close ourselves off from the possibility of genuine insight and intellectual growth.

The Foundation of Sense: Empirical Experience and Intuition

The term "sense" carries a dual meaning crucial to our discussion. Primarily, it refers to sensory experience – the raw data we gather through our five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Aristotle, a towering figure in the Great Books, emphasized the importance of empirical observation as the starting point for all understanding. Without sensory input, our minds would be barren, devoid of the material upon which to build concepts.

Secondly, "sense" can also imply a form of common sense or an intuitive grasp of meaning. We might say something "makes sense" when it aligns with our logical faculties or established understanding, even before rigorous proof. However, this intuitive sense, while valuable for navigation, still requires further scrutiny to graduate to knowledge.

(Image: A classical Greek philosopher, perhaps Aristotle, pointing to various natural phenomena like plants and animals, while a student diligently observes and takes notes, symbolizing empirical observation as the basis of understanding.)

Bridging the Gap: From Sense to Knowledge

While sense provides the raw material, and opinion offers a preliminary, often flawed, interpretation, neither constitutes knowledge on its own. The journey from perception and belief to knowledge is perhaps the most significant philosophical quest.

Think of John Locke, another luminary from the Great Books, who argued that our minds are initially a tabula rasa, a blank slate, filled by experience. Yet, experience alone is not knowledge. It requires the mind to process, categorize, and reason about these experiences. Immanuel Kant further elaborated on this, suggesting that while all knowledge begins with experience, it does not arise entirely from experience. Our minds impose categories of understanding (like causality and time) upon sensory data, shaping it into coherent perception.

This intellectual processing, verification, and justification are what elevate mere sense data or subjective opinion to the realm of knowledge.

The Crucial Distinction: Opinion vs. Knowledge

To clarify, let's delineate the fundamental differences:

Feature Opinion Knowledge
Basis Belief, feeling, limited information Evidence, reason, verification
Nature Subjective, personal Objective (or intersubjectively verifiable)
Truth Value Potentially false, unverified Justified True Belief
Stability Changeable, often fleeting Stable, enduring, robust
Universal? Rarely, often specific to an individual Aims for universal applicability
Method Persuasion, assertion, intuition Inquiry, logic, empirical testing

The Path to Genuine Understanding

Cultivating genuine knowledge requires a commitment to intellectual rigor. It demands that we:

  1. Question Assumptions: Challenge not only the opinions of others but, more importantly, our own.
  2. Seek Evidence: Do not accept claims at face value. Demand justification and empirical support.
  3. Employ Reason: Use logic and critical thinking to evaluate arguments and draw sound conclusions.
  4. Engage in Dialogue: Test our ideas against the scrutiny of others, as Socrates famously did.
  5. Embrace Doubt: Recognize the limits of our understanding and be open to revising our beliefs in light of new evidence.

This process is not always comfortable, as it often means letting go of comforting but unfounded beliefs. However, it is the only reliable path to moving beyond the shifting sands of opinion and the raw data of sense to the solid ground of knowledge.

Conclusion

The distinction between opinion and sense on one hand, and true knowledge on the other, is not merely an academic exercise. It is a vital framework for navigating the complexities of the world, making informed decisions, and engaging in meaningful discourse. By understanding how to move from subjective belief and raw perception to justified true belief, we empower ourselves to think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and ultimately, live a more examined and enlightened life—a core tenet of the planksip philosophy.

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Plato Allegory of the Cave Explained"

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Aristotle Empiricism vs Rationalism"

Share this post