"Cuando decimos que sabemos de qué estamos hablando, queremos decir que sabemos lo que pensamos sobre algo, en lugar de conocer los hechos."

It’s funny how often we say we "know" something when, really, all we know is how we feel about it. This quote gets to the heart of that. It’s pointing out that sometimes our confidence in our knowledge is actually just confidence in our opinions.

Think about that time when someone asked you about the best pizza place in town. You probably didn’t rattle off facts about the number of awards each pizzeria has won or their health inspection scores. Instead, you spoke passionately about your favorite spot because their crust is just perfect or the cheese blend is out of this world. You weren't recounting objective facts—you were sharing your own thoughts and experiences. That’s what the quote is getting at: we often conflate what we think with what we know.

Historically, this kind of thinking has led to both great discoveries and major mishaps. In the scientific revolution, for example, Galileo’s support of the heliocentric model wasn’t based on mere opinion. He observed and gathered evidence, challenging what people thought they knew about the universe. On the flip side, think about the countless times in history when people’s unwavering beliefs—whether about health, the earth being flat, or other now-debunked theories—were taken as fact purely because they felt so strongly about them.

Let’s bring this into today’s world. Imagine having a heated debate with friends over the best way to brew coffee. You might passionately argue that French press is superior because it’s what you use daily and you love the robust flavor. Your friend counters with pour-over, swearing by its clean and nuanced taste. Both of you are confident, but what you’re really doing is sticking to what you think, rather than presenting hard facts. You’re talking from experience and personal preference.

So, how can we apply this wisdom practically? Next time you’re in a discussion or making decisions, catch yourself. Are you speaking from genuine knowledge or just sharing your heartfelt opinion? It’s okay to say, “This is what I think” rather than “This is how it is.” That slight shift can open up dialogue, invite other perspectives, and avoid the pitfall of mistaking opinion for fact.

Here’s a story. Picture this: you’re at a family gathering, and the conversation turns to climate change. Uncle Joe is adamant that the current changes are just natural cycles, not human-driven. You, having read several scientific articles, argue the opposite. But instead of escalating the argument, you pause and say, “I feel strongly about this because of what I’ve read and learned. What’s your source?” This way, you’re inviting a fact-based discussion rather than a clash of opinions. Maybe Uncle Joe reveals he’s read some questionable websites. You then have an opportunity to share reliable sources and maybe—just maybe—shift the conversation towards a more informed debate.

In essence, recognizing the difference between what we think and what we know can make our conversations and decisions richer, more respectful, and ultimately more grounded in reality. Just remember: it’s okay to be passionate about your opinions, but it’s even better to know when you’re sharing what you think, rather than what you know.