Yes, I believe that an opinion can change over time. A lot of factors are involved in causing a change of opinion.
Understanding the meaning and types of opinions
Opinions are assessments, perspectives, judgments, or proclamations. They may or may not be formed based on factual information. Opinions are of many types. Some of them are as follows:
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Rational opinion: These are viewpoints based on factual information. Rational opinions are unbiased perspectives, which have their basis in facts.
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Irrational opinion: The perspective that one forms based on falsified information. These opinions are unjustifiable. They lack strong reasoning.
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Non-rational opinion: This type of opinion is more subjective than objective. Rather than being fully based on facts, it has its origins in personal experiences.
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Conjecture: The opinion that one forms in the face of uncertainty. One forms these opinions in the lack of solid evidence or data. Hence, a conjecture is an educated guess.
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Fact: It is a result of various scientific and non-scientific studies. A fact is the most widely accepted statement. However, facts are also subject to change. The changeability factor segregates facts from universal truths.
Discovering the reasons behind the change of opinion over time
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Repetitiveness: If you are constantly in the company of someone who has polar opposite views, there are high chances that you will also start finding flaws in your logic. It becomes difficult for one person to hold their ground if the other person's opinions are backed by substantial data. Thus, if you spend a great deal of time with a strongly opinionated person, there are high chances for your perspectives to change.
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Facts get altered over time: Time is capable of altering facts. Everything is liable to change except universal truths. Therefore, if the facts change, the individual’s opinion is also bound to change.
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Discovering new knowledge: Continuous amendment in knowledge results in the shift of opinions. The more one studies, the more facts one discovers. Therefore, when a person continuously engages in studies, it leads them to discover new knowledge. This newly found knowledge can significantly alter one's opinions.
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The age factor: As a person grows older, their take on big and small things keeps changing. For instance, a teenager's opinion on junk food is bound to be completely different from a middle-aged person. While the former will find it tasty, the latter will find it unhealthy. Therefore, age forms a pertinent factor in creating opinions.
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Experiences: Experience plays a pertinent role in the formation of opinions. As time passes, one experiences numerous feelings. In turn, these emotions heavily impact our viewpoints. Hence, experiences play a significant role in forming and altering our opinions.
Conclusion
I would like to conclude by saying that opinions change over time. The change in opinion happens due to many reasons such as repetitiveness of information, alteration in factual information, the discovery of new knowledge, aging, life-altering experiences, and so on. Therefore, opinions are subject to change over due course.
