Opinions, we all have them but are they our own?

I have been told, on many occasions, by my well-wishers to not get into arguments.  Arguments usually start on a topic.  On a topic, one usually has a position and that position usually is described at times as an opinion.  Normally, one will argue that their position is based on facts and thus their opinion is fair.  These days, I argue, the opinions are hardly our own.  Most of the time we are regurgitating opinions that we have heard and have then adopted them as our own.  Given opinions not necessarily have to be based on any facts.  Facts however should be able to prove true or false.  

There is an interesting article out there that talks about how opinions are formed.  According to the article, some of the opinions are formed due to societal influence, some are formed due to authority of the person one follows, and then there is at the very extreme (this is my add-on) - on one’s own dissection of facts and reality.  To arrive at an opinion, the last type, one has to be able to read different viewpoints, have an inquisitive mind to question everything, and having exhausted these venues arrives at one's conclusion and leads to an opinion.  Perhaps leading to an opinion formed on facts.  I have written about this before, opinions should be supported by facts but facts are sometimes cherry picked and influenced by our perception.  This leads to my other assertion - having your own objective opinion is very difficult in a world that is constantly trying to put people into categories and group.  Also, the world that is so connected.  We all don't have the time to be objective and we all take short cuts.  In the case of opinions, we regurgitate what we have heard somewhere else.  

Even here, one can argue, that your personal bias can strongly influence your opinion.  We tend to look for facts to support our position.  We find those facts that support our opinion and we feel validated to have opinions based on facts.  I always believe I have strong biases and because of those biases, I tend to find article/facts that will support my position. 

So what is the point of arguing over opinions.  I say no point in arguing other than that the argument might challenge some of the opinions one holds.  The argument might entertain you for a while.  The argument might boost your ego if you think you won the argument.  In the end though, getting involved in arguments is a silly exercise.   So can you change people's opinion based on arguments you have with them?  Most likely not and only thing you might change is their opinion of you.  I am ok with getting into arguments because sometimes I feel people just need to be called out for silly statements they make.  Yes it is their opinion and why argue - only for the points mentioned above.  Know this and don't get too emotional.