dogma
A principle or belief accepted without question
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to challenge the dogma that meetings must be one hour long.”
Over coffee
“She refuses to follow the dogma that you need a college degree to be successful.”
Why this word
belief
Belief is any accepted idea; dogma is a principle laid down as incontrovertibly true by an authority
doctrine
Doctrine is taught principles; dogma specifically emphasizes unquestionable, authoritative truth claims
principle
Principle is a general rule; dogma implies rigid adherence without room for doubt or debate
Usage tip
Use when identifying unquestioned assumptions that may deserve scrutiny. Often implies rigidity that needs challenging.
Etymology
Greek 'dogma' meaning 'opinion, decree'
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Related words
synthesis
The combining of separate elements to form a coherent whole
syllogism
A logical argument with two premises leading to a conclusion
empiricism
The belief that knowledge comes from observation and experience
paradox
A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true
premise
An underlying assumption on which reasoning is based
ontology
The nature of being or categories of existence