Mephisto2

Well, meet your first one ART.

I have been convinced to change my opinions on several occasions. Let's discuss a few relevant ones.

1) My initial opinion was that the war in Iraq was unjustified and dangerous. Even though Hussein had flouted UN sanctions I felt that military actions should be the last resort. I was convinced OTHERWISE by believing the arguments of Bush/Blair/Powell that Iraq were developing WMD and (specifically) that they could deploy within 45 minutes. Iraq, according to Blair, had over 100 litres of Anthrax, enough to kill over a million people.

All lies.

Against my initial feelings I argued that the war was justified, that if people had invaded Germany earlier the Holocaust could have been avoided (poor analogy but one people seem to relate to), that manifold UN resolutions were ignored etc.

2) In my heart I still believed the was "right", as it removed a tyrant from power. However, when it turned out that the war was based on false premises and was likely a simple extension of a family fued between the Bush and Husseins, then I listened to the arguments of the other side. I began to see their point, to understand that I was wrong. I now openly admit that.

Here's another

1) I used to be a clear supporter of state ownership of utilities. I didn't believe private enterprise had a place to play in these fundamental services, and that the profit motive would simply reduce the level of care they were obliged to offer all their customers.

2) Having listened and watched over the years, I'm now of the opinion that it does have a place. I would still like to see government ownership of a high percentage of at least ONE company in each area, but I no longer support the entirely socialist position I once did.


I could go on and on.

What does that mean? If it's a simple observation (or opinion), what does it do to develop the thread's argument?

I've been reading your comments here, and with the greatest respect, I don't really understand what you mean to say or contribute. You seem to step in occasionally and make some obscurely worded and generally unrelated comment. There's an entire Philosophy board for this kind of argument or discussion on the nature of truth, logic, opinion etc. You can join the likes of Karl Popper and debate the death of logical positivism there if you wish. But it's kinda out of place here.

I hasten to add that I've only notice this on this thread, and these comments are meant in good nature.

So what you're trying to say that people have different opinions and that they're sometimes not easy to explain; this, even though our opinions tend to be rather important as they help us make judgements on people.

Erm... so what? That's nothing new, has no real relevance to the topic of the thread and seems to be expressed in an elitist manner.

I'm kinda interested in starting an entirely new thread on this topic, but not here. :-)

You believe it's moot to argue points? Again, a topic for the Philosophy forum and one I would be happy to debate. :-)


Mr Mephisto