[Ixa]

Are political opinions based on reason or sentiment?

Three subquestions:

-If your answer was not number 2, name at least one political opinion that you hold which is based on reason rather than sentiment.

-If your answer was not number 1, name at least one political opinion that you[ hold which is based on sentiment rather than reason.

-If you can name an opinion that you hold which is based not on reason, but on sentiment, you are thereby acknowledging that it is irrational. How can you believe in it, if you acknowledge this? In other words, how can you believe in a proposition which you in effect acknowledge there to be no reason to suppose true?

But on the other hand if you can name at least one political opinion which you hold which you believe to be based on reason and not sentiment, you will have difficulty proving this.

[SpiderMonkey]

My political opinions are based on reason (which explains why they are undefined and prone to change). Certainty requires sentiment, along with plenty of intellectual dishonesty.

[Ixa]

My political opinions are based on reason (which explains why they are undefined and prone to change). Certainty requires sentiment, along with plenty of intellectual dishonesty.

Answer the subquestions then.

[Vivisekt]

I voted for number four.

If your answer was not number 2, name at least one political opinion that you hold which is based on reason rather than sentiment.

In a democracy, voting should be available to people only after they pass a competency test of some kind. When the people lead, they need to have at least some of the qualities of a sucessful leader or the country will operate far below its potential within that system - to the detriment of all. I have found that many people have no idea how to go about achieving the goals that they desire (amongst a plethora of other problems), and as such, they do not vote well.

This opinion stands only until I am presented with an argument that logically invalidates it, like all of my political opinions. And it is modified depending on the specific context to which it is applied for the purpose of debate.

Like spidermonkey, my political opinions are based on reason. Because of this, they change frequently as new information presents itsself - and I can also entertain conflicting points of view on the same topic simultaneously, so long as they are logical.

If your answer was not number 1, name at least one political opinion that you[ hold which is based on sentiment rather than reason.

I can't think of any. I have plenty of opinions based on sentiment, but not within a political realm of thought. Politics are too important to discard reason, in my opinion.

[Ixa]

Like spidermonkey, my political opinions are based on reason. Because of this, they change frequently as new information presents itsself - and I can also entertain conflicting points of view on the same topic simultaneously, so long as they are logical.

your political opinions are based on reason, i.e., you deduced them? from what? what are they?

[Vivisekt]

your political opinions are based on reason, i.e., you deduced them? from what? what are they?

Deducted from observation and or research. If there is a topic of political discussion which I know nothing about, I might use intuitive reasoning to formulate an opinion - just for the sake of argument - but I would never seriously consider advancing it in any real political arena.

That being said - if you're looking for a definitive ideological statement from me, I don't have one to give.

[Ixa]

your political opinions are based on reason, i.e., you deduced them? from what? what are they?

Deducted from observation and or research. If there is a topic of political discussion which I know nothing about, I might use intuitive reasoning to formulate an opinion - just for the sake of argument - but I would never seriously consider advancing it in any real political arena.

but do not these opinions involve value judgements? your observations might indicate that requiring citizens to pass competency tests in order to vote would improve the voting results, but not whether this should be done. This is where sentiment comes into play. for the 'shoulds' are never deduced.

[Vivisekt]

but do not these opinions involve value judgements? your observations might indicate that requiring citizens to pass competency tests in order to vote would improve the voting results, but not whether this should be done.

I cite the ideology that is being catered to as what outlines what 'should' and 'should not' in many instances. If the result is in keeping with the general ideological aim of the democracy in question, then it 'should' be implemented as an enhancement to that system. If not, then it 'should not'.

For instance; as applied to the american ideological democratic republic and it's aims, this wouldn't be something that i would advocate. But as applied to a theoretical democratic state, it is something that i would advocate.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter to me what system is under examination. My political opinions are about the objective observation of, and the improvement of systems in logical accordance with their stated or implied purpose - if at all possible.

for the 'shoulds' are never deduced.

Hence my almost complete detachment from actual activity in the political arena. I don't believe in the 'mission' of any existing government, nor do i believe in the 'correctness' of the 'mission' which my biases and interests would otherwise lead me to support.

[jaakko]

Is this poll about the voter's own political opinions, or the political opinions in general in the current world, as the title more suggests?

[Ixa]

Is this poll about the voter's own political opinions, or the political opinions in general in the current world, as the title more suggests?

they are the same thing.

[jaakko]

they are the same thing.

They're not the same thing, because one's philosophical world-outlook fundamentally affects the methodology he uses to reach political conclusions, aswell as his self-awareness of these.

[Dark_Stalin]

It depends on what is the political problem. A mentally distressed people need more understanding thorough sentiment, a totally "logical" thing like WWI is sheer reason.

[enLight]

I selected number 4.

Most people tend to lean towards their political beliefs becasue they feel it's good and right. Working out the reasonable logic of their opinions is usually a secondary process.