“I feel that X” really means, “I believe X, and accept that others will likely disagree.” The purpose is to serve as a conversational marker showing that disagreement is expected. When used properly, this is simply to grease the wheels of discourse a bit, making it more likely that the respondent will have the proper idea about the attitude the speaker takes towards the idea, not to imply that the disagreement will be taken as unresolvable. It makes discourse more efficient. Of course, it can be misused in the way that Richard complains about, but I think he’s being obtuse to be against the phrase in every manifestation, and especially obtuse in the way he frames his disagreement.
“I feel that X” really means, “I believe X, and accept that others will likely disagree.” The purpose is to serve as a conversational marker showing that disagreement is expected. When used properly, this is simply to grease the wheels of discourse a bit, making it more likely that the respondent will have the proper idea about the attitude the speaker takes towards the idea, not to imply that the disagreement will be taken as unresolvable. It makes discourse more efficient. Of course, it can be misused in the way that Richard complains about, but I think he’s being obtuse to be against the phrase in every manifestation, and especially obtuse in the way he frames his disagreement.