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generator: pandoc
title: '2010-12-27-'
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Bullshit is, in one of its forms, a product of an intellectually
dishonest posture, one, more particularly, that includes an
unwillingness to respond in an honest way to criticism. Bullshitting is
not the same thing as dogmatism. To be sure, the dogmatist maintains his
belief in the face of all criticism, but an honest dogmatist is
possible, who responds to criticism as best he can, and who might even
admit that he has no good response to a particular criticism, while
nevertheless sticking to his dogmatically held view. The bullshitter, by
contrast, may be ready to change his position, and he often does so
under critical assault. But he does not take precise measure of the
force of that assault in order to alter his position in a controlled and
scientifically indicated way. He simply shifts to another
unthought-through and/or obscure position, in order to remain undefeated
(which is the chief thing, for a bullshitter). The dogmatist stands his
ground, while the bullshitter is prepared to shift ground at any time.