Doctrines Versus Values
Photo by Denise Jones on Unsplash
I think the problem begins when we subscribe solely to a specific point of view, a particular doctrine.
This is what I believe in. These are the truths about this or that and they cannot be compromised.
We’ve learnt (been taught/taught ourselves) these doctrines over the years and have chosen to accept them as the path forward - the only path forward. And, we’ve galvanized the ‘opposition’ into a defined doctrine of its own - the other, that against which we must fight, come hell or high water.
It’s free markets or it’s socialism. It’s globalization or nationalism. Liberal or conservative. Religiosity or atheism.
But, as with everything in life, the truth is neither of the above. A strict, dogmatic insistence of one way versus another is a pointless endeavor.
There is no single, strict way to observe and to be. There are only underlying values and principles. And these underlying principles, at least in my mind, have portability across doctrines.
So long as we’re open to the idea.
Which is why, I believe, we (all) have more in common than not. Why, strict dogma has no merit or value. Why, we all need to be open to the other person’s approach and point of view.
The problem, of course, arises when we tie ourselves - our reputation, our standing, our ego - to our specific doctrine. Suddenly, there is too much of “us” riding on it and any view to the contrary becomes an attack on us.
The problem also arises when we’re driven by selfish motives - the desire for more of something (money, adulation, acceptance, etc.). In these situations, we aren’t open to any alternatives, even if they help us. (This is the problem with politics today.)
It’s hard not to be driven by the doctrines that have helped us over our lives. That isn’t a fault or an issue in and of itself. But it’s important to always step back and be open to the discussion that we may not always have the answer - that our specific belief system may not have all of those answers.
Better to be driven - philosophically and practically - by underlying values.
