Do you have a problem when others are dogmatic -- that is, when they express strong opinions as if they were facts?
Should we care whether someone is stating an authoritative belief without adequate justification?
Do we need to guard against dogmatism? Why?
If yes, how can we best do so?
Are you sometimes dogmatic?
What do you think?
Your thoughts would be appreciated. I’ll report on responses and identify the author unless you request anonymity.
From Don MacLaren:
ReplyDeleteI DO have a problem when others are dogmatic. YES, we should care whether or not someone expresses strong opinions as if they were facts (if they can't back up their opinions). YES, we need to guard against dogmatism, because if we don't we are liable to wind up with demagogues running the world and our lives, which can have (and has had) tragic consequences. The next question (the "how") is the most difficult to answer. In a democracy a free and vigilant press should be the tool that keeps the government/politicians in check/prevents them from relying on dogma to further their agenda(s). On a personal level, in a debate enter with an open mind and realize you may learn something from someone who disagrees with you, but insist on documented evidence whenever your counterpart makes an assertion you have an issue with (and ensure that your own assertions are backed up with solid evidence). Having written all that, I confess there are times in the past - when I was much younger - that I have been dogmatic. I believe I do a much better job now of doing my homework before stating a belief others may find controversial.
From Tom Fergusaon:
ReplyDeleteobviously dogmatic beliefs are harmful since they prevent a disinterested look at what's going on and what's going on is leading us to extinction... dogma is one of the obstacles to addressing climate change, inequality, injustice etc;
as for my own dogmatism, that might arise when the ego slips into a state of wanting to be right, getting uptight when out argued, when some clever person out thinks me, catches me in careless or sloppy thinking, when ego resists owning up to this... i do think that Chomsky's take on the 1% is pretty solid as is Tolle's take on ego