Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 12:47:40 -0600 From: Carrol Cox <cbcox-AT-ilstu.edu> Subject: Re: BHA: Book notice: Creaven, Marxism and Ralism Andrew Brown wrote: > You disagree with the argument: > fair enough. But obviously mere disagreement doesn't justify > labelling those with whom you disagree 'dogmatists'. (A term I > particularly dislike for some reason). You give the reason for disliking the term. It is almost always applied to an argument the writer/speaker disagrees with, but its only *legitimate* use is in application to the expression of an idea one AGREES WITH. That is, if touches on the *way* an idea is expressed, not to the idea itself. Thus if one's own organization or one's own comrades are dogmatic, it is important to correct that dogmatism. (The same argument applies to the term "sectarian.") I have always argued that those two terms are _always_ unprincipled when applied to an opponent. In general, criticism of style is unprincipled when applied to others than one's own allies/adherents/etc. If you say I am wrong, I can argue or agree. If you say I'm dogmatic, what am I supposed to do? Lie down and weep? Carrol Carrol --- from list bhaskar-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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