LOGICAL FALLACIES By: Ella Settle

DOGMATISM•The tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others.

UNIVERSAL EXAMPLE

• I'm sorry, but I think penguins are sea creatures and that's that.

THE CRUCIBLE This is a conversation Abigail and her Uncle, Reverend Parris, were having about Elizabeth Proctor. In this conversation Abigail is very stubborn to the fact that Elizabeth is trying to ruin her name. Making her a good example of a dogmatic character.

Reverend Parris: Why did Goody Proctor discharge you from her service? Abigail Williams: Because I refused to be her slave. Reverend Parris: I have heard said that John Proctor and you... Abigail Williams: My name is good in the village! Elizabeth Proctor is an envious, gossipy liar!

THE CRUCIBLE Proctor: “But if she say she is pregnant, then she must be!”- Act 3, Page 212

This displays dogmatism because John Proctor believes his wife can’t tell a lie. Even though this is pretty much impossible. When faced with as much stress as Elizabeth would surely lie if she had to. She even deliberately lies during the trial to protect John’s image.

THE CRUCIBLE Elizabeth: “If you think I am one, then I say there are none”- Act 2, page 200

This is an example of dogmatism because when hale asks Elizabeth about being a witch, she simply replies with the above. This is because she knows she's not a witch and if she is charged as one, then witches do not exist in her mind.

SOURCES

“Dogmatism.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. n.d. Web. 13 MAR. 2015.

The Crucible. 2002. IMDbWeb. 13 Mar 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2651691008/tt0115988>.John Proctor. 2002. IMDbWeb. 24 Feb 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3842873344/ch0033207