Linguistics; some English verbs for presenting positions in discussions...
Next topic up, as requested by babalon_it...

"One thing I would *love* to talk about, if you would, is the usage of the phrases like 'I think' vs 'I feel' vs 'I have an intuition about' vs whatever other forms of considering a topic there are. I've been trying to figure out why it bothers me when people use the phrase 'I think' and then go on to describe what is basically a gut reaction to something with no actual analysis or factual basis involved. I don't discount feeling or intuition as valid points of their own, but it bothers me that they're so often conflated with analysis (which is how I define 'I think'). I would love to have a discussion (sharing viewpoints and information) about modes of discussion and the language surrounding discussions."

This -- as will be obvious from the vagueness of my subject line -- is a difficult topic to pin down, and I have no idea what sort of discussion it will lead to. If I'm understanding babalon_it correctly, his concern is with the set of English verbs commonly used to embed propositions that express a speaker's/writer's position in a discussion; his concern seems to me to be with evidentiality.

Suppose my position is that globalization is inevitable. I can then choose to embed that proposition to at least the following eight verbs:

1. I think that globalization is inevitable.
2. I feel that globalization is inevitable.
3. I believe that globalization is inevitable.
4. I know that globalization is inevitable.
5. I perceive (or I see) that globalization is inevitable.
6. I assume that globalization is inevitable.
7. I am aware that globalization is inevitable.
8. I suspect that globalization is inevitable.

[There are of course a variety of other ways to express a position in English. There are constructions like "In my opinion...." and "It seems to me that...." and "As I see it..." and "From my point of view..." and "As everyone knows..." and "Obviously..." There are constructions like "Every educated person understands that X" and "Only a child would deny that X." There are other verbs besides the ones listed. And there's more. But those eight verbs are already a huge chunk to chew on; let's stay with those for now.]

Here's what -- in my dialect -- each of the sentences in the list means with regard to my own judgment that I am justified in presenting it in a discussion. The sentences underneath the example represent my "evidential metamessage."

1. I think that globalization is inevitable.

I've given the issue of globalization some thought and am familiar with a moderate amount of information about it. I can't provide references or statistics or hard evidence, but I'm willing to offer a position based on what I do know and on my personal judgment of that information.

2. I feel that globalization is inevitable.

I don't know very much about globalization, and don't want to give the impression that I do. My position is based only on my inner feelings.

3. I believe that globalization is inevitable.

I don't know very much about globalization, and don't want to give the impression that I do. My position is based only on my inner feelings. [Essentially the same as #2, but -- stylistically speaking -- just a bit firmer than the construction with "I feel." Also more likely in a context where what I mean is that I have considered some other position(s) on the subject and have been convinced.]

4. I know that globalization is inevitable.

I have spent a substantial amount of time investigating the issue of globalization; I've spent a substantial amount of time reading and thinking about the positions that a number of experts and scholars take on the issue. I've considered the facts thoroughly and have decided what I do and do not consider to be true and relevant, and I am prepared to present evidence, as well as logical arguments, supporting my position.

5. I perceive (or I see) that globalization is inevitable.

Over time, observing the arguments for and against globalization, I have been able to come to a conclusion about it that I consider valid. I am prepared to present evidence and/or logical arguments supporting my position.

6. I assume that globalization is inevitable.

I don't know a great deal about globalization, but I'm familiar with it in a general way, and have come to a tentative conclusion. I am not prepared to present evidence supporting my position, but it's not based only on my inner feelings.

7. I am aware that globalization is inevitable.

I have spent a substantial amount of time investigating the issue of globalization; I've spent a substantial amount of time reading and thinking about the positions that a number of experts and scholars take on the issue. I've considered the facts thoroughly and have decided what I do and do not consider to be true and relevant, and I am prepared to present evidence, as well as logical arguments, supporting my position. [Essentially equivalent to #4, but -- stylistically speaking -- more likely to be used when someone else has opened the discussion and has harangued me at some length with information that I already know.]

8. I suspect that globalization is inevitable.

I'm not fully informed on the issue of globalization, but I am familiar with quite a lot of information about it, enough to make me lean in the direction of this position. I'm not prepared to present hard evidence, but I am prepared to present what I believe are logical arguments.

Over to you...