Difference between revisions of "Closed belief system"
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==About== | ==About== | ||
| − | A [[closed belief system]] is a set of [[belief]]s which includes the belief that criticism of the | + | A [[closed belief system]] is a [[meme]] (i.e. a set of [[belief]]s) which includes the belief that [[ideological protectionism|criticism of the meme is wrong and must be discouraged]], i.e. a belief in [[epistemic closure]]. |
| − | Closed belief systems are a powerful [[manipulative tool|tool]] for causing large numbers of people to take actions that are generally [[harm]]ful (or even against their own best interests) while believing they are doing so for a greater [[good]]. | + | Closed belief systems are a powerful [[manipulative tool|tool]] for causing large numbers of people to take actions that are generally [[harm]]ful (or even against their own best interests) while believing they are doing so for a greater [[good]]. As such, they are very attractive to [[powermonger]]s, who often use promotion of a specific closed belief system as a way of gaining personal power. The relationship between powermonger and meme is [[symbiotic]]: the meme gains promotion from the powermonger, and the powermonger gains power through control of the meme-infected population. |
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| + | [[Fundamentalist]] branches of most [[religion]]s are, almost by definition, closed belief systems. | ||
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| + | Although the pattern is not strictly limited to religion, any belief-system which includes [[epistemic closure]] is likely to be seen as "like a religion" by outsiders. | ||
===Characteristics=== | ===Characteristics=== | ||
Closed belief systems tend to have the following characteristics: | Closed belief systems tend to have the following characteristics: | ||
Revision as of 15:49, 28 August 2011
About
A closed belief system is a meme (i.e. a set of beliefs) which includes the belief that criticism of the meme is wrong and must be discouraged, i.e. a belief in epistemic closure.
Closed belief systems are a powerful tool for causing large numbers of people to take actions that are generally harmful (or even against their own best interests) while believing they are doing so for a greater good. As such, they are very attractive to powermongers, who often use promotion of a specific closed belief system as a way of gaining personal power. The relationship between powermonger and meme is symbiotic: the meme gains promotion from the powermonger, and the powermonger gains power through control of the meme-infected population.
Fundamentalist branches of most religions are, almost by definition, closed belief systems.
Although the pattern is not strictly limited to religion, any belief-system which includes epistemic closure is likely to be seen as "like a religion" by outsiders.
Characteristics
Closed belief systems tend to have the following characteristics:
- They have key tenets that are sacrosanct.
- Disagreement with the belief system is likely to result in ostracism or even demonization (dissenters are evil, alien, unpatriotic, or "outsiders").
- Empirical evidence or arguments that show flaws in the system do not have to be addressed if they violate key tenets.
- In defense of the key tenets, it is permissible to use:
- emotional arguments (e.g. ad hominem) and logical fallacies
- extreme anger, vitriol, or even violence
- outright untruth (e.g. "Liars for Jesus")
- There is usually a system of epistemic closure, i.e. a support structure (formal and/or informal) where stories that validate the system are circulated, largely unchallenged.