Dogmatism BY: Kennedy ludwig

Dogmatism: The tendency to lay down principles without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others Making a statement without a verification.

Example 1: Hale: But, woman you do believe there are witches in-- Elizabeth: If you think I am one, then I say there are none. (Act 2 Page 200) Elizabeth was showing dogmatism because she was making the claim that there are no witches without just verification. She was simply stating that she wasn’t a witch, a statement of which she could not back up and had no proof of.

Example 2: Danforth: Now, Mr. Proctor, before I decide whether I will hear you or not, it is my duty to tell you this. We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment (Act 4 Page 210) Danforth is exhibiting dogmatism here by claiming that he is head of the court. He is making this claim knowing that no one will rise above him or question his level in the court.

Tituba: Why you say that, Abby? Example 3: Abigail: Don’t lie! She comes to me while I sleep; she’s always making me dream corruptions! Tituba: Why you say that, Abby? Abigail: Sometimes I wake and find myself standing in the open doorway and not a stitch on my body! I always hear her laughing in my sleep. I hear her singing her Barbados songs and tempting me with – (Act 1 Page 187) Abigail was showing dogmatism because she was accusing Tituba of bewitching her without proper evidence. Abigail had accused so many people and the authorities were believing all of it. There is no evidence nor proof behind Abigail's statement but yet people believe her.

Citation A Dogmatic Boss. Dogmatic. FreeTestPrep. n.d. Web. 16. February 2012 Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.