"It is better to be proved incorrect than to never know what is correct."-Yousuf Hafuda
This is a position I have held for some time now, and one that I believe induces progress. But first, I must explain what I mean to propose with the ostensibly paradoxical statement of being undogmatically dogmatic.
Faced in the world are often two different types, ones that are in stark contrast of each other. There is the staunch absolutist, who invariably believes they are right. Also present is the apologetic relativist, realizing that so many have been wrong in the past, that they cannot possibly be right. While a position of humbleness, this is also a position of stagnation and confusion.
Those who espouse an overly dogmatic nature characterize a personality that is often closed minded, one that is not swayed by the clutches of reason and rationality. They often retain archaic justifications for beliefs simply for fear of admitting fault or error. This characterizes a large portion of human beings, and is to an extent ingrained in our nature.
However, there are also those who refuse to take a position, for fear of being incorrect. By their own accounts, this represents prudence and tolerance. However, this position represents defeat in the search for truth, the reluctant acceptance that the human race can no longer epistemologically progress.
Thereby lies the crux of the issue. The dogmatist does not respond to logic, rather to their visceral attachment to emotionally held beliefs. The relativist, although an aberration, rebuts such bigotry simply by giving up.
To combat such perversity, a new type must arise, one that remains in search of truth, not a self purported, self endorsed belief. This new type, can and must be an undogmatic dogmatist. They must balance to two often contentious notions of believing dogmatically those beliefs they do hold by arguing for them vehemently, and realizing when they are indeed wrong.
The reason why dogmatism, although often pejoratively referred to, is cardinal to such a quest is because one cannot present an argument eloquently unless they fully believe that which they are arguing for. If one does not fervently argue for a belief, that belief will not be given justice, and the danger of stagnation will once again prove present.
However, one must not retain such dogmatism beyond this nuanced sense. The very beliefs they hold, they must understand are always subject to revision, and once one finds what they believe is the ultimate truth, they can simply change their mind.
This omnipresent yet latent iteration of undogmatism must be veiled carefully, so that the impetus for progress is possible. What results is an incessant system in which different ideas are tested, refuted, abandoned, and new ideas acquired. The purpose for such a system is progress.
Indeed, it cannot be done any other way.
-Yousuf Hafuda
