Dogmatic

Dogmatic is an adjective describing a rigid adherence to a set of beliefs or principles, especially when those beliefs are treated as unquestionable truths. It can refer to dogma itself—the authoritative opinions or doctrines of a group—and to a person or method that refuses to question or revise accepted beliefs.

In religious contexts, dogmatic often pertains to doctrinal systems that prescribe what is to be believed and how believers should behave. More broadly, the term can apply to non-religious ideologies, political views, or scientific or philosophical arguments that are asserted as universally valid without consideration of counterevidence or alternative perspectives.

Etymology: From Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikos, from dogma "that which is believed," itself from dokein "to seem, think." The word entered English in the 17th century. Its sense ranges from neutral references to doctrine to pejorative usage describing inflexible, unquestioning certainty.

Usage notes: In academic discourse, a contrast is drawn between dogmatic and critical or empirical approaches. In theology, dogmatics or dogmatic theology refers to the systematic presentation of doctrinal beliefs, while in everyday use dogmatic often carries a negative connotation of obstinacy. Related terms include dogma, doctrinaire, orthodoxy, and rigidity.