The concept of dogmatism is generally understood as a tendency to assume in an unambiguous way and without discussion about certain thoughts or doctrines.
This term is also applied to determine ideals or hypotheses so that they are accepted by others without the slightest critical spirit, without ceasing to be questioned despite the lack of empirical evidence.
Dogmatism, therefore, can be considered an exclusive mentality as it does not admit more than its own point of view, in addition to disqualifying those who do not fit. It is also characterized by the absence of certain aspects in the interpretation, considering that some themes only admit two positions: one right and one wrong, without admitting the existence of intermediate degrees between both positions.
Dogmatism in philosophy
Dogmatism has been the object of reflection by countless philosophers throughout history. Thus, for example, Comte refers to dogmatism not only as a merely ideological position, but as the adoption of a certain attitude towards knowledge. That is why dogmatism is characterized by individuals who put aside a critical attitude to face new theories or thoughts, limiting themselves to taking them for granted. So, in this case, we can speak of intellectual fundamentalism, where reason disconnects from criticism and thought becomes a simply passive action.
vs. Skepticism
Dogmatism as well as other words of the same root as dogma and dogmatic are related to religion. In many areas, dogmas are considered a revelation of the divine word and establish an official doctrine accepted as an act of faith impossible to debate. In classical philosophy, people who unquestionably accepted these principles were defined as dogmatic and opposed to skeptical. Dogmatism
Both dogmatism and skepticism can be approached as two sides of the same coin, being the skeptic considered the person who does not believe in the existence of an absolute truth, on the contrary (in case of a truth) they will never have access to knowledge . Therefore, skepticism approaches doubt as the fundamental basis of life, validating only what experience demonstrates as true.
