Heretics · Chapter
Concluding Remarks on the Importance of Orthodoxy explained
Chesterton argues that true mental growth leads to more definite convictions and dogmas, not their abandonment.
What happens
Chesterton argues that true mental growth leads to more definite convictions and dogmas, not their abandonment. He praises Kipling, Shaw, and Wells as dogmatists whose art serves their moral causes, and concludes that all beliefs become creeds when disputed, making dogmatism inevitable and necessary.
Themes in this chapter
Orthodoxy vs. Heresy
Chesterton defends orthodoxy as necessary for mental growth and critiques the modern notion of progress as breaking bonds.
Importance of Dogma
Argues that man is an animal that makes dogmas and that great artists are dogmatists; all truths become creeds when disputed.
Critique of Modern Morality
Criticizes the modern vice of mental progress as effacing boundaries and casting away dogmas.
Critique of Modern Literature
Contrasts the fin de siècle demand for art free from causes with the dogmatic art of Kipling, Shaw, and Wells.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Rudyard Kipling
Cited as a fierce dogmatist and imperialist whose best short stories serve his moral cause.
- Mr. Bernard Shaw
Presented as a socialist dogmatist whose best plays are propaganda; Chesterton disagrees with him but respects his dogmatism.
- Mr. H. G. Wells
Described as moving from frivolous art to serious dogmatism, becoming more parochial and constructive.
- Mr. Lowes Dickinson
Mentioned as a pagan whose paganism is more grave than Christianity.
- Mr. McCabe
Cited as a rationalist who believes in the impossible sun, illustrating that all hold dogmas.
- Matthew Arnold
Quoted for his remark about being dogmatic and right versus Carlyle being dogmatic and wrong.
- Carlyle
Referenced in Matthew Arnold's remark and as defining man as an animal that makes tools.
Key passages
“The human brain is a machine for coming to conclusions; if it cannot come to conclusions it is rusty.”
The mind's purpose is to reach firm conclusions; a mind that avoids conclusions is dysfunctional.
Chesterton's metaphor for the necessity of dogmatism.
“Man can be defined as an animal that makes dogmas.”
Humans are uniquely characterized by their creation of firm beliefs.
Central thesis of the chapter.
“Truths turn into dogmas the instant that they are disputed.”
Once a truth is challenged, it becomes a firmly held creed.
Chesterton's explanation of how skepticism creates dogma.