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 Maarten Maartensz:    Philosophical Dictionary | Filosofisch Woordenboek                      

 D - Dogmatism

 

Dogmatism: In accordance with the teaching.

Of course, what accords with the teaching depends on the teaching, and what is dogmatically true, and holy, and noble according to one teaching is as dogmatically false, and evil, and bad according to another teaching.

Every religion, every faith, every sect, every political ideology has its dogmas and its dogmatists: The currently hallowed supposed truths as laid down by the pope, the synod, the ayatollahs, the leader or the polit bureau, and as taught by the priests, the clergy, the mullahs, or the party cadre, each and all in the full belief, if none too intelligent, or else with the pretense, of teaching and saying what "everyone" should believe and do, and what cannot and should not be doubted or questioned by anyone.

Small and mediocre minds tend to be fond of such dogmatism as they were raised in and may teach themselves. On the other hand, not all dogmatism is necessarily false, and some dogmas may be good. What is certain, though, is that it is not a valid argument that so-and-so is true, or good, or holy "because it accords with the teaching". It may be, but not for that reason.

 


See also: Clifford


Literature:

Aquinas, Aron, Bierce, Clifford, Revel, Talmon

 Original: Dec 12, 2004                                                Last edited: 17 November 2009.   Top