The dogmatist within is always worse than the enemy without

The dogmatist within is always worse than the enemy without

Stephen Jay Gould, a renowned paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, was a firm believer in the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in the pursuit of knowledge. He often spoke out against dogmatism, the tendency to cling to fixed beliefs without considering evidence or alternative viewpoints. In his view, the dogmatist within – the rigid adherence to preconceived ideas – was always more dangerous than any external enemy.

Gould's own work in the field of evolutionary biology exemplified his commitment to open-minded inquiry. He famously challenged the prevailing notion of gradualism in evolution, arguing instead for the concept of punctuated equilibrium, which posits that species evolve in short bursts of rapid change followed by long periods of stability. This idea ran counter to the established dogma of gradual evolution, but Gould was unafraid to challenge it in the pursuit of a more accurate understanding of the natural world.

Gould's emphasis on the dangers of internal dogmatism can be seen in his critiques of creationism and intelligent design. He argued that these belief systems were based on fixed, untestable assumptions that were impervious to evidence or reason. By contrast, Gould advocated for the scientific method, which relies on empirical evidence and the willingness to revise one's beliefs in light of new information.