The Work Required to Have an Opinion

Doing the work required to hold an opinion means we can argue against ourselves better than others can. Only then can we say, “I can hold this view because I can’t find anyone else who can argue better against my view.”

Doing the work counteracts our natural desire to seek out only information that confirms what we believe we know.

The difference between the people who do the work and the people who just reel off memorized opinions is huge. When you do the work, you can answer the next question. You know when to follow the rules and when they’ll get you in trouble.

The people who know the memorized answer are chauffeurs. They can’t answer the next question. We’re all chauffeurs in some aspects of our lives. This is why understanding your circle of competence is so critical to living a rational life.

Doing the work required to hold an opinion means we can’t make up our mind with a high degree of confidence right away.

Doing the work forces us to challenge our beliefs because we have to argue from both sides. We become the somewhat impartial judge. What’s on trial is our own opinion.