Also consider reading Alasdair MacIntyre's "After Virtue" if you're interested in philosophy (it takes effort, but rewards the reader). It characterizes modern society as emotivist. When you say:
I'm overwhelmed by the volume of information, but even more so by the volume of opinions. Take even a simple long-running one, what to believe religiously. I can hear one side, then the other, then another... and each in turn (usually) makes sense. There's not enough info to say one is right, but which is right?? Because each believes their point is right, and yet if I held a different position all would criticise me. I can't resolve that dichotomy.
You are describing emotivism.
As an antidote to emotivism, MacIntyre suggests we rekindle an Aristotelian account of the virtues and cultivate them through practices. For example, cultivate those attributes (virtues) which aid in rigorous pursuit of mastery in a discipline (practice). Herein lies meaning and the good life for man.
I'm overwhelmed by the volume of information, but even more so by the volume of opinions. Take even a simple long-running one, what to believe religiously. I can hear one side, then the other, then another... and each in turn (usually) makes sense. There's not enough info to say one is right, but which is right?? Because each believes their point is right, and yet if I held a different position all would criticise me. I can't resolve that dichotomy.
You are describing emotivism.
As an antidote to emotivism, MacIntyre suggests we rekindle an Aristotelian account of the virtues and cultivate them through practices. For example, cultivate those attributes (virtues) which aid in rigorous pursuit of mastery in a discipline (practice). Herein lies meaning and the good life for man.