A Priori: Does Not Require Proof

In Critique of Pure Reason, Immanuel Kant used the Latin term "a priori," which is a type of knowledge independent of proof, evidence, or experience. And this is how we argue, as if whatever we are saying is self-evident and does not require proof. What I am saying is automatically true. This is your ego playing tricks again. In logic, this is known as the circular reasoning fallacy, to assume your argument proves the truth of your own argument. (E.g., ghosts are real because how else could they exist? But how do we know they exist? Because they are real.) This extends to never questioning your bubble and making the case for your bubble from things within the bubble. Like a video game character trying to prove the video game is real by taking measurements from within the video game. But objectivity is measuring against something outside of itself. (I'm six feet tall because I feel six feet tall vs. using a ruler to measure height. Which is more accurate?)

Religion is not the only dogma, we can be dogmatic about anything. We can confuse social reality for reality. Our points justified not by science or evidence but determined by politics, rhetoric, ideology, social reality, political correctness, emotion, and even politeness. Freeing yourself from one form of dogma gives you the illusion that you are free from all dogmas, and that whatever you speak is objective truth. But there are many ways to leave a dogma, and not all of them are based on rationality. And even if you were rational about one dogma, you might have blindspots for others. Perhaps your dogma is race, or politics, or worldview, or nation, or culture, or inner circle, or any other in-group bias. Perhaps you have a dogma of the self, an illusion of superiority. And when we share our biases with our inner circle, they will nod their heads and agree with us because we are only giving them something they already believe and letting them know why they are right (confirmation bias).

Gaming Social Conventions

We can make a point without valid proof, expecting it to be accepted, not on grounds of merit, but due to the unspoken threat that if it is not accepted, there will be repercussions. "I will get mad if you don't accept my personal truth as the absolute truth." A type of logic fallacy called "appeal to force."

Rather than facts, persuasive language, voice, and gestures are used as the support for our arguments. Verification is replaced with intensity and passion. Whoever is loudest and maddest is right. Who needs proof when you can get a good reaction? In pro-wrestling, which relies on basic psychological tricks, this is called getting a "pop."

In many circles, a claim will be accepted if no one wants to make a fuss. The intransigent person making the point is leveraging decorum in the absence of reasoning (political correctness is a form of politeness, but the list of what is impolite is subjective and can grow infinitely). That is not truth, that is strategy. The aim is to win; a game where only truth and discourse are the losers.

Self-Brainwashing

It's self-brainwashing, a rejection of the wholeness of a group, person, or idea when the totality is a mixed bag. We are aware of the dangers of only seeing the "wrong" in ourselves or our in-group. What we don't see are the dangers of denying the "wrong" in ourselves and only seeing the "right." Willfully turning a blind eye, ignoring warning signs, suppressing information, and voluntarily embracing apathy. "It's only bad when they do it." Allowing ourselves and our group to get away with murder (and sometimes literally).

British philosopher John Stuart Mill was best regarded for his ideals on individuality and nonconformity. In 1867, he delivered an inaugural address at the University of St. Andrews in which he said: