Definition

1. Noun:
   • Unwavering adherence to doctrine: The tendency to lay down principles as undeniably true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.
   • Arrogant assertion of opinion: The manner of expressing strong opinions in an authoritative and often intolerant way.

Usage

• Dogmatism is an uncountable noun. It describes an attitude or approach, not a specific instance.
• It is typically used in formal or academic contexts to criticize rigid thinking.
• Common collocations include: , , , , .

Examples

• The debate was hindered by the dogmatism of both sides, who refused to consider any alternative evidence.
• True scientific inquiry requires an openness to new data and a rejection of dogmatism.
• His dogmatism on the issue made productive discussion impossible.

Advanced Usage

• "The dogmatism of...": Used to specify the field or group exhibiting the rigid adherence.
  • The dogmatism of the early church authorities suppressed many dissenting views.
• "Free from dogmatism": Describing an approach or ideology that is not rigidly doctrinaire.
  • Her philosophy was remarkably free from the dogmatism of her contemporaries.

Variants and Related Words

• Dogmatic (adj): Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.
  • He was so dogmatic that he wouldn't even listen to the counterarguments.
• Dogmatist (n): A person who is dogmatic.
  • The meeting was dominated by dogmatists from both factions.

Synonyms

• Doctrinarism: Strict adherence to a doctrine.
• Authoritarianism: The enforcement of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
• Inflexibility: Unwillingness to change or compromise.
• Bigotry (in the sense of intolerant devotion to one's own opinions): Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions.

Antonyms

• Open-mindedness: Willingness to consider new ideas.
• Skepticism: A questioning attitude or doubt towards accepted opinions.
• Eclecticism: Selecting beliefs from various sources without strict adherence to a single system.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To cling to dogma": To hold firmly to a set of beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. This phrase captures the essence of dogmatic behavior.
  • Instead of adapting to new information, he chose to cling to his outdated dogma.

Noun

1. the intolerance and prejudice of a bigot