Opinion is dead… Long live Opinion

By: Karl Lycett

Since birth, my daughters’ favourite things have changed an unfathomable number of times.

Months, hours or even minutes may pass before another shift occurs.

I highlight this not to mock the fickle nature of children, but instead to celebrate it. The egoless manner in which they view the cornucopia of ideas presented to them, and their willingness to open up and be changed should be admired.

How about you? If you met yourself five years previous, how many things do you think you would both agree on? As philosopher Alain de Botton said:

“Anyone who isn’t embarrassed of who they were last year probably isn’t learning enough”

As we grow out of our childhood state and mature into more ‘sensible’ and ‘knowledgeable’ beings, we are at risk of firmly ‘planting our flags’ and deciding that our minds are made up on certain subjects.

However, the carpet we walk upon may be black and white, but the world is far from it.

This blinkered thinking can occur at any stage and to anyone. Therefore, we must be vigilant and methodical in our assessment of information. I am talking about the formation of… Opinions.

To clarify, what is an opinion?

“A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge”

– Oxford Languages

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This gets to the very heart of what this word should represent, a viewpoint of a situation or topic, filtered through the personal experiences of the beholder, which in many instances is not supported by facts but rather driven by feelings or tainted by prejudice. There would be no issue with the usage of the word, if it was recognised in this correct form.

However, in our current society, it has taken on a new shorthand. It has become something irrefutable to the holder and in many instances, the recipient. With a unwillingness to reconsider their position, even when provided with proof in opposition.

The long and winding road…

As a Freemason, you have made a commitment to the discovery of truth.

From the beginning you declared that your hearts predominant wish was that of light. To feel the illumination of wisdom and finding solace from the darkness of the profane world.

To hold dear the pillars of our order, having the strength to challenge and develop your ideals, attaining wisdom to beautify within.

Your whole life is a literal journey of enlightenment, using the working tools to perfect your ashlar, and in doing such, understanding more of the world around you and the creatures who inhabit it.

With education being the only means by which we are rendered fit members of society.

You should view your current position as something transitory, and one must hold onto opinions in the same manner as a wild bird. Firmly enough to ponder and examine it, yet prepared at any time to let it go.

Are our operative forefathers not great role models of this? Towering cathedrals of unspeakable scale and splendour are not created from the minds of lesser beings who eschewed the opportunity of wisdom in the form of new building techniques.

Did the flying buttress not enable architects to incorporate more glass into their designs, literally enabling the divine light to enter more freely? Whilst also building and climbing further into the heavens towards the almighty?

As you travel further, opinions may become more fleeting entities. Many disappearing altogether, understanding that your viewpoint is forever in flux.

This is not an assertion that you mustn’t hold onto anything. You must have core values which inform your direction and conduct through life, however, these should be rigorously and routinely assessed.

This personal analysis is extremely important, as humans are predisposed to confirmation bias – A tendency to favour corroborating evidence towards our existing viewpoint.

In addition, we can fall foul to the illusory truth effect – The idea that the more exposed a person is to incorrect information, the more strongly it will become considered truth.

If you find that some of your foundational beliefs cause you to clash with or ostracise others, you must remember your obligations and have the fortitude to face this head on. Reassess and adjust if necessary.

Are you prepared to do what you must and remove those superfluous excrescences marring your ashlar? As without this intimate level of honesty, you are doing yourself and Freemasonry a disservice.

Guarding the Entrance

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Our media landscape is designed to bombard us. The 24/7 news machine has an unsatiated hunger for our attention. Combined with the reactionary atmosphere of social media, these can be considered some of the main culprits exacerbating the degradation of mutual understanding and increasing division amongst parties.

As Masons we should aim to rise above this, as throughout we have been taught valuable lessons to apply in these scenarios, such as being cautious, to not rush headlong, but rather to guard the entrance and be prudent as to whether this information should influence us.

Whether from a brother or anonymous internet source, Greek philosopher Socrates has provided us with a simplistic process to asses any claim, called ‘The Three Sieves’. These are three simple questions through which all information must pass –

Scenario: Brother A tells you that Brother B is getting a divorce.

1. Is it true?
How does he know? Did he hear directly or through a third party?

2. Is it kind?
Is he spreading this information with good intentions or through a want of being ‘in the know?’

3. Is it necessary?
Do you need to know? Was he told in confidence? Is the Brother in question ready to share this news?

This example uses known Brethren, but can be suited to any news claim, social post or unsubstantiated piece of information which comes across your lap.

The first care of every Mason is to ensure the lodge is properly tyled, and whether the literal or metaphysical lodge, this method can stop many an imposter at the door.

You cannot control the actions of others, and thus the burden of analysis is with you alone. This responsibility should not be taken lightly.

You are a Fool

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There is an adage regarding a man’s cologne, stating “it should be discovered, rather than announced”. This is also true to the proliferation of opinions, as just because you have one, doesn’t mean it must be shared and as previously established, that it is even correct!

I dare to speculate that we have all met a character in our lives who will declare their opinion freely, never being proven wrong or considering the views of others. These people are worth giving a wide berth, for as it says in Corinthians –

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

– Corinthians 3:18 – NKJV

The cardinal virtues of Masonry are symbolised via the carpet tassels in our temples. Of those, Prudence and Temperance can be our guides on this topic, ensuring that we govern ourselves wisely, make thoughtful decisions and show self-restraint in regards to sharing our views.
Additionally, we mustn’t fall into the ego trap of thinking we must be able to authoritatively discuss all topics, it’s ok not to have a view about something if you are not well enough educated.
Is it not more prudent to operate from the viewpoint of the fool? To have the humility to recognise your own ignorance? To live life with that childlike openness and welcome the opportunity for growth? For if we deny the ear of corn it’s water does it not wither and die rather than receive nourishment and ripen?

Education is a lifelong pursuit for the Mason, something to be celebrated and welcomed. That does not mean it’s always easy, we must ask ourselves difficult questions in the journey of understanding.

But with every one of life’s interactions there can be an opportunity for improvement.

Whether you choose to accept or ignore these words is up to you. Because after all, it’s only my opinion.

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