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Originally Posted by SpM
I disagree. If an individual's own interpretation breaks one of these "rules of interpretation", that may cause others to disagree but it will not necessarily change the personal meaning to the individual, if it is genuinely and strongly held. I accept that there will be a (limited) degree of objectivity in consensus (and some benefit in subscribing to the consensus, for exampe in the exam situation which you mention), but the individual still retains the right to find their own meaning which does not follow the consensus, just as others have the right to disagree with it.
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Yet if the individual wishes to be a part of a community (such as this) then it is very much in their interest to follow the consensus. I often see posts by newbies which go against the accepted views held by those in this community, which will result in said poster ceasing to contribute; this is effectively rejection by the community (constructive dismissal?
) and therefore it is important that a 'Downer accepts the consensus opinion.
Yes, a person has the right to privately retain their own meaning, but if it cannot be aired due to fear of rejection by the community, then what use is it? There may be freedom to interpret, freedom to find meaning in personal experience, but the reality is that this is not always accepted. While we may have the 'right' to express or to share the meaning we have found, we do not necessarily have the permission or ability to do so. To use an analogy, it may say in our property deeds that we have the right to use our neighbours' gardens as a right of way, but if they lock their gates then we are denied the ability to do so.
Sorry, this must seem a little too much like the day job to you.