In society today, especially with the younger generation expanding beyond older beliefs, there has been a slight change in how people view things. The question of whether one’s opinions are right or wrong. I see this a lot on the social media: a person is voicing their opinions and how they feel about a certain subject, then another person will right back saying how their opinion or beliefs are incorrect. I believe that there is no right or wrong opinion and everyone is entitled to believe what they want or to not believe what they want.

The younger generation today preaches to be yourself and speak your mind however, I find this to be ironic. We tell people around us to be honest and upfront about what we think or believe, but we shame the person or tell them their opinion is incorrect. This I believe is incorrect and boggles my mind. There are many people around me who do this. I witness is happening on social media people saying to not associate themselves with someone who does not believe in the same thing as them. I believe that is very hypocritical because most of the time those people who say that preach being yourself. I see this happening a lot especially when it was about the presidential debate, the black lives matter movement, or even something simple as music taste.

This insight has been inspired from the story “Siddhartha” written by Hermann Hesse, chapter 3: “Gotama”. This is when Siddartha meets the Buddha. The insight itself does not reflect upon the entire chapter, just on the small part where Siddhartha and the Buddha talk with one another before Siddhartha’s departure. The two talk with another and the Buddha informs Siddhartha that people’s opinions show the truth about how people act. Whether they embrace it or not it is best to be neutral to it all.

“You’ve found a gap in it, an error. You should think about this further. But be warned, oh seeker of knowledge, of the thicket of opinions and of arguing about words. There is nothing to opinions, they may be beautiful or ugly, smart or foolish, everyone can support them or discard them.”

I believe that this picture is a good representation of what the Buddha had said to Siddhartha. Whether someone has an opinion it is best to be neutral to it all and to not go against those who have different opinions that yours. To answer the title of the blog: Opinions- Right or Wrong? Neither. I believe there is no right or wrong opinion. An opinion should be what a person believes makes sense to them and if someone else’s opinion is different on the matter it doesn’t mean one person’s thoughts/opinions are more correct than the other person’s.