“Dogmatism is puppyism come to its full growth.”  Douglas William Jerrold

How do you react when you encounter someone who is dogmatic in their views?

“What is truth?” Pilate asked.  (John 18.38; NLT)

There were so many great quotes on dogmatism, but I just couldn’t resist the one about puppies. 
Here’s a couple more:
“When people are the least sure, they are often the most dogmatic.”  John Kenneth Galbraith
“When men are the most sure and arrogant, they commonly are the most mistaken.”  David Hume

Dictionary.com defines dogmatism as unfounded positiveness in matters of opinion; arrogant assertion of opinions as truths.  I’m afraid we’ve all been guilty of that, haven’t we?  It’s indeed a bit embarrassing to be totally sure of something only to find out that we were wrong…or maybe just half right.

What about the times when two people look at the same thing and see something entirely different?  Which one is right?  Which one is wrong?  How can the same thing be seen in two different ways…even at the same time?

The link today is a very interesting demonstration of just that phenomenon.  Gather a couple of folks around your computer and click on today’s link.  Which way is the lady spinning?  Some will say clockwise.  Some will say counterclockwise.  How can that be?

According to the source of this fun little example, the determination of which way the lady is spinning is a function of right brain or left brain dominance.  In other words, it’s all in how you are viewing her.  Actually, there are a number of issues in life in which multiple viewpoints (paradigms) exist.  Recall that a paradigm can come culturally, environmentally, experientially, and probably in a number of other ways as well.  In those cases, the question, “What is truth?” seems to be a very valid question.  This also seems to bring to mind that old adage that goes something like “the more you learn, the less you know.”

Bottom line–don’t be too sure!  (Whoops…there I go again.  Woof-woof!)

Prayer Power
Lord, sometimes we can be so sure of ourselves.  We often believe we know so much when it actuality we really don’t even know what we don’t know.  Grant us the grace to have an open mind as we are exposed to new thoughts and new ideas and then the discernment to “eat the meat and spit out the bones.”

Link of the Day
The Spinning Lady

If you see this lady turning in clockwise you are using your right brain.
If you see it the other way, you are using left brain.
Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way.
If you try to see it the other way and if you do see it, your IQ is above 160
Which is almost a genius. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN……….ABSOLUTELY

Blessings to you as you resolve to be willing to explore at least one new idea in the coming week.