Dogmatism be damned!

Arrogance and dogmatism are hot news, right now. Alongside ‘post truth’ politics, scorning of experts, and the orange hubris occupying the White House, these are propitious times for those interested in bad intellectual behaviour. Examples include: ignoring uncomfortable evidence, dismissing alternative ways of thinking, and insisting on the unquestionability of entrenched convictions. All of these are, naturally, red rags to seasoned forteans. Charles Fort lambasted ‘Dogmatic Science’, describing The Book of the Damned as offering “little lessons upon the beauties of modesty and humility” for the enjoyment and edification of those who liked listening to “the hiss of escaping arrogance” (BD 13). ¹

Philosophers have started to get in on the act, albeit focused on questions of truth and political arrogance, rather than arraying notes upon falls of fish and frogs. A useful product of their interest is the concept of an . Most people are familiar with – the bad character traits, like cruelty, insensitivity, and selfishness – and the corresponding moral virtues, like compassion, honesty, and kindness. But there are also intellectual virtues, virtues of the mind, character traits that make us . Some