Introduction to Dogma and Free Will
I’ve been exploring the philosophy of free will in other articles. I discussed the spectrum of free will, as well as the mechanics of free will and the forces influencing it. And I used a compelling metaphor to make the subject easier to grasp.
Let’s start with an assumption: we all have some degree of free will. But how often do we truly use it? In this article, we’ll explore how passivity leads to Dogma and how reclaiming our Free Will empowers us to shape our own paths. Is exercising free will a default option, or do we sometimes let it fade into the background?
Sometimes, it feels easier to drift along the river of life, letting the currents decide our course and avoiding the effort of making decisions, content to accept whatever outcomes arise.
Although free will empowers us, nobody forces us to use it. Furthermore, we can “choose” to abandon it when we avoid making decisions, don’t take responsibility for our actions, or fully absorb others’ opinions without consideration.
Dogma and Immaculate Thinking
The essence of free will lies in our ability to shape the events around us by infusing them with our values and beliefs. When we passively go along with what’s happening, without contributing our own perspective or making deliberate choices, we give up the opportunity to exercise our free will.
Conversely, when we actively apply our thinking, values, and beliefs to influence outcomes, we fully engage with the power of free will.
Ultimately, choosing not to express Free Will is still a form of exercising Free Will.
This brings us to Dogma, the opposite of active engagement. When we drift through life without questioning or thinking critically, we open the door to Dogma. It represents the passive acceptance of beliefs and ideas, often leading to a loss of individuality and original thought. Dogma thrives on conformity, discouraging creativity and critical thinking.
Immaculate Thinking, in contrast, is the practice of developing your views from within, with minimal outside influence, popular trends, or FOMO (fear of missing out). It requires constant awareness to recognize when external pressures shape our thoughts, such as societal norms, peer expectations, or digital echo chambers. Achieving it means questioning not only what we believe but also why we believe it and having the courage to stand by ideas that are truly our own. It means building a mindset that is entirely yours, free of societal pressures or the noise of the world around you.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Immaculate Thinking
Developing immaculate thinking takes some intentional effort. Here are some steps:
- Engage in self-questioning: Regularly ask yourself, “Why do I hold this belief? Is it truly mine, or was it influenced by others?”
- Avoid echo chambers: Expose yourself to a variety of perspectives but take time to process them independently rather than adopting them entirely.
- Practice solitude: Spend time alone with your thoughts, allowing your mind to explore ideas without interruption or distraction.
The Evolutionary Roots of Dogma
From an evolutionary psychology perspective, it makes sense why humans evolved to believe and follow leaders. Listening to and unconditionally accepting what leaders said increased our chances of survival. The ability to pass knowledge from one generation to the next, without requiring every individual to learn everything firsthand, proved highly beneficial.
This evolutionary tendency can still be seen today, whether in the obedient acceptance of political rhetoric, unquestioning devotion to corporate hierarchies, or reliance on social media influencers. Accepting the teachings of others without question allowed societies to thrive and progress, but it also laid the groundwork for modern forms of conformity.
The political arena is one of the clearest examples of blind acceptance of others’ ideas. The cult of personality, combined with unwavering loyalty to ideologies or leaders, often replaces critical thinking with unquestioning allegiance. We have all seen the extreme polarization of the recent politics. regardless of the objective reality, people’s view points are stuck to dogma regardless of the side of the aisle. And once these beliefs take hold, they become deeply rooted and extremely difficult to change.
You cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themselves into.
Jonathan Swift
The Divide Between Leaders and Followers
In the end, those who embrace Dogma become followers, shaped by the views of others. Their thoughts and actions are no longer their own, as they operate within the framework of passive acceptance. Their Free Will becomes limited as their choices are shaped entirely by external influences.
Immaculate thinkers, on the other hand, become leaders. They carve their own paths through original thought and deliberate intention, shaping a future grounded in their unique vision. Their leadership inspires others not through conformity but by empowering them to think independently, fostering a culture of originality and self-reliance. Others are drawn to follow not out of conformity, but because of the authenticity and strength of these ideas.
By understanding the distinction between Dogma and Immaculate Thinking, we see that Free Will isn’t merely about making choices—it’s about shaping a life that truly reflects your core values and beliefs. This active engagement is what sets leaders apart from followers.
The Choice is Yours
Dogma represents the abandonment of Free Will, a state where individuals drift through life, shaped by external forces and passive acceptance. However, cultivating Immaculate Thinking provides a way to reclaim Free Will. By taking deliberate steps—like questioning beliefs, avoiding echo chambers, and practicing solitude—we can actively resist the pull of conformity and build a life guided by our own values. While this tendency has deep evolutionary roots—helping societies function and thrive—it comes at the cost of originality, agency, and personal freedom.
On the other hand, immaculate thinking challenges us to embrace Free Will actively. By questioning assumptions, shaping our beliefs, and asserting our individuality, we can carve out a life that reflects our true values and aspirations.
The choice between Dogma and Free Will is not always easy, but it is always ours to make. Will you choose to follow, or will you lead your own path?