Dogmas are rules that are generally accepted in the world as universal truths, and often go unquestioned. The term dogma usually refers only to such rules as adopted by the church, however such dogmas can be found anywhere in life. In a non-freethinking country, the dictatorship is a dogma, however this dogma is a questioned one, as in these freethinking countries there are still people who take ideas from the outside, and such dogmas are easily questioned. The more subtle dogmas are the ones embraced by the free world. Time is a dogma, while people debate whether the millenium is in 2000 or 2001, they do not realize that it is irrelevant, as time is a human contruct, of which nature has little understanding. Another dogma embraced by many is religion. This dogma is not as powerful as it once was, having severed it’s ties with the state in most countries long ago. However, back in the Reformation, people such as Martin Luther and John Calvin debated each other and debated the Catholic church. However, all their debate took place assuming that there is a God, and what each offered was merely a different interpretation of that God. In our daily lives, even though few realize it, there are so many things that we take for granted and never question. Under these assumptions we argue, debate and discuss, never realizing that we’re discussing may in itself be governed by dogmas that are not nessecarily true themselves.
Of course, some of these dogmas must exist in conjunction with our society and all that we’ve created. Things such as equality must be accepted, and people should never be racist, bear in mind, that race is a human construct, too. And therefore, as there are no races in nature, then these divisions are meaningless. However, there are so many dogmas that must be questioned, because while we accept them because we’re taught to, they may not even be correct.
Philosophy doesn’t nessecarily have to have a point. All philosophy is are beliefs, and whether those beliefs meet some end or not is entirely how you interpret it. In this I was just musing about Dogmas and the control they have on society. Whether you want to use this (or any philosophy, for that, matter) to acheive some end or to explain something to yourself is entirely your decision. The effect philosophy has on people is determined by what that philosophy means to people and how they apply it to their own lives, that’s the beauty of philosophy
Sorry for comming off as being arrogant. I wasn’t trying to. I just kinda write in a long-winded style sometimes. Sorry if I was doing anything wrong.
OK, cool. Relax, Vladimir, prop yer feet up and have a beer. Dogmas, paradigms, beliefs, and chasing rainbows is what this whole board is all about. Most of the people who spouted off at you are very articulate and intelligent people (except for maybe Wally,…just kidding :D) who come from diverse backgrounds, experiences and educations. Jousting windmills is almost a required passion for most Dopers. Dogmas take quite a beating among the more erudite shithouse philosophers on this board.
There ain’t nothin’ wrong with your prose being a tad bit on the long end of things. I enjoy reading that from time to time, keeps the few active, functioning brain cells I have stimulated. When I was in the service I learned that one of the biggest barriers to effective communications was failing to understand your audience. I guess what I’m trying to say is “Don’t lecture the Dopers and they won’t throw spitwads.”
