Non-Arguments: That's Just Your Opinion! (Relativist Fallacy)

Another popular non-argument - calling somebody's claim an opinion in order to mitigate the possibility of it being true.

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[dctrbrass]

I like when people say, "that's subjective" or "that's just your opinion" when it's clearly objective...just b/c they can't admit, "I don't know." "I'm not well-studied in this area. I don't have an opinion." There's nothing "weak" or "wrong" about saying that. Go learn, so that you'll actually have something helpful to say!!! Read about the Dunning-Kruger Effect...and Epistemology.

[PnNK]

you could not chose a better thumbnail. Nailed it. About the video itself, makes me feel less alone. At a certain level/limit, people start to forget about the logical and react by emotion (subjectively) leading to unreasonable or strangely unexpected and out of context sentences.

[danielclark-hughes]

Best video yet. But that's just, like, my opinion man.

[Kntrytnt]

My favorite use of this happened a couple of weeks ago, where I was debating this guy. His basic argument was that people who spread harmful or incorrect messages should lose their right of speech. The example he used is the vaccines cause autism people should essentially lose their First Amendment right for spreading falsehoods, so I pointed out how dangerous a mindset that was, etc, etc. On and on we debated until I noticed he started pivoting, so I pointed it out and said something like, "that's not an argument, you are just using sophistry and are pivoting."

To which he responded "that's just your opinion!"

[cptace]

Yet another great analysis. Keep'em coming.

[alexonthestreet]

Thanks really appreciate your opinion LOL. Your argument is so helpful as people keep dumping "that's just your opinion" on me. So, they are saying that my opinion has no value. But of course they believe that their opinion has ultimate value. Relativism is such a hypocritical position...unless you believe something else of course LOL.

[William-ou]

relativist fallacy is like confusing objective claim as subjective claim therefore they think anyone has their own perspectives and no one could be wrong. i hate it when people use this fallacy as it is often unable to lead to which argument is true

ex : A : i dont think it would be a good idea to paint the wall bright red because when people walk in, they look red from all the light reflecting off the red wall and it makes them look like they are constantly blushing
B : well, that is just your opinion. i dont think so
A : no, my claim is objective and not subjective. it can be proven
B : sure, lets prove it! i dont think the reflection will become a problem
A : OK
B : OK
and no one wins the argument since proving the argument is true or false would take a lot of time and effort. (in this case, painting the wall)

[thatbhewguy]

I recently got in to an argument with my younger brother about how DramaAlert isn't in any way shape or form a legit and credible news channel and he said that was my opinion. This was after I explained to him that Youtube news is a silly thing in general and if you must keep up to date with what's going on in the community, there are much more professional and credible channels out there. I used the knowledge I gained from this video to pretty much shut him down. In the end, he just ignored me and said he was done arguing.

[geert]

Whoever pays me's opinion > Whatever chick wants to sex me's opinion > My opinion > The rest of the Universe. It's really not that complicated.

[Lopfff]

I've seen two videos in which Christopher Hitchens bitches about this exact same thing, and he nails it: "Of course it's my opinion. Whose opinion would you rather I give, YOURS?"

[AlleyCat]

It should be emphasized how the relativistic fallacy is not applicable to objective claims. In the subjective realm, a movie may be bad for one person and good for another. But in the objective realm, gravity is true for everyone. The error is often committed in religious discussion. People will state their religion is true for them, and another religion true for someone else, everyone is correct, basically saying reality itself is subjective.

[GreyKnight]

I will say, "that's just your opinion" to non-evidenced claims, or observations made with no reason or justification presented for them. Because these are just opinions. Or in other words, what I am responding to is a non-argument. And in those circumstances, it's a completely valid thing to say.

[WallyWestFlash]

Is there a specific name or term for this specific form of non-argument? I know that Reletivist Fallacy refers to thinking something is true for one person, but not for the other. But what is the name for the falacy of stating that something isn't true due to the fact that it's "your opinion".

[codyreece]

Not sure if read old comments from yr+ old videos. This comment is more circumstance if anything. Keep up the good work. Your star wars criticism garnered my attention. Excellent points. However I do have a question. What is your opinion on a 2nd viewing in regards to movie criticism? Id like to vote with my wallet, yet would like 1 more pass to either confirm my opinions or change them.

[EnbyFranziskaNagel]

Judge Forrest send me 100 pages....

....but that was just her opinion.

[Avarn]

Interesting fallacy. So basically, the fallacy is used as a means to hold off a well-structured/reasoned argument or opinion when presented by someone? And when you mean refuting the reasoning of one's opinion is that the premises that lead to the view? So for example, painting the red room makes everyone blushing. Would it be appropriate to focus on why the individual thinks the red walls would make everyone blush? Sorry, if I am being verbose, but I want to make sure I understand your position.

[NotOrdinaryInGames]

You know what bugs me? Analysis. It is a latin word, and it was adopted into English without change. In Russian, the word is analis. Why? Because somebody somewhere was very smart, and realized that for a word to feel at home in your vocabulary, for you to feel a connection to that word, it must loose all the fancy endings that are alien to your language.

Try saying "analis" about 50 times, and tell me that does not feel like a more native word.

[elderjuniormaster]

Somehow you reminded me of The Amazing Atheist.

[leogarcia-cuesta]

well man...that's just your opinion.