In response to "Bully for you. So when, exactly, should people be allowed to have a dissenting opinion? What qualifications does one need to have a credible opinion? TIA."
Here is a relatively straightforward explanation:
Everybody is allowed to have a dissenting opinion. It does not mean it is a credible opinion. An example of this would be people who choose not to have their children vaccinated without scientific evidence to support their views and are generally based on unfounded fears.
A credible opinion is something that is based on at least some existing evidence. Anecdotal evidence (i.e. "I know someone who...") is not credible. An example of a credible opinion in my day-to-day experience would be, if I am recommending a treatment for a patient, my opinion is based off the existing evidence - usually scientific studies.
Here is a relatively straightforward explanation:
Everybody is allowed to have a dissenting opinion. It does not mean it is a credible opinion. An example of this would be people who choose not to have their children vaccinated without scientific evidence to support their views and are generally based on unfounded fears.
A credible opinion is something that is based on at least some existing evidence. Anecdotal evidence (i.e. "I know someone who...") is not credible. An example of a credible opinion in my day-to-day experience would be, if I am recommending a treatment for a patient, my opinion is based off the existing evidence - usually scientific studies.
