Word of the Day, November 10: ‘Ipsedixitism’

Word of the Day: IPSEDIXITISM
Pronunciation: ip-see-DIK-si-tiz-um
UK /ˌɪpsiːˈdɪksɪtɪzəm/
US /ˌɪpsiˈdɪksɪtɪzəm/

Meaning
Ipsedixitism is a noun that refers to the practice of making dogmatic or unsupported claims and expecting others to accept them without question. It can also describe an assertion that is treated as true simply because an authority figure has made it.

The word is closely connected to ipse dixit, a Latin expression meaning “he himself said it”. In simple terms, ipsedixitism is the belief that a statement does not need proof because someone influential has made it.

It is often used in discussions about politics, philosophy, education and public debate, particularly when an argument relies on authority rather than facts or reasoning.

Examples in everyday sentences

• The professor encouraged students to question established ideas instead of accepting them through ipsedixitism.
• His argument offered no evidence and relied entirely on ipsedixitism.
• The committee wanted facts and clear reasoning, not another display of ipsedixitism.
• Treating a celebrity's opinion as unquestionable truth is a form of ipsedixitism.

Origin and history

Ipsedixitism comes from the Latin phrase ipse dixit, which translates as “he himself said it”. The phrase was associated with the followers of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who reportedly used their master's authority to settle arguments rather than provide further reasoning. It later became associated with the unquestioned authority given to Aristotle in medieval scholarship.

The English word was coined by British philosopher and reformer Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. He used it to criticise arguments that depended on a person's authority instead of evidence. The suffix -ism turns the expression into a noun describing a practice or belief.

Cultural significance and modern usage

Ipsedixitism remains a useful term for describing the way authority can sometimes take the place of evidence. It can appear in classrooms, workplaces, political speeches, religious discussions and online debates.

The word is particularly relevant in an age when opinions can spread quickly through social media.

Ipsedixitism is not the same as respecting expertise. Listening to specialists is sensible, but their claims should still be supported by sound reasoning and evidence. The problem arises when a person's authority is treated as proof in itself.

Interesting facts

The phrase is linked to the practice of accepting a claim because a respected teacher or authority figure made it.

Jeremy Bentham used the term to criticise arguments that relied on authority rather than reason.

An ipsedixitist is someone who makes unsupported, dogmatic assertions.

Examples from literature

• “The further development of the phrase into ipsedixitism, = the practice of dogmatic assertion, is happily rare.”— Handy-book of Literary Curiosities by William Shepard Walsh
• “... philosophy is ipsedixitism, —you will differ from him, and get his ill-will for your pains: and I will not expose you to it.”— The Works of Jeremy Bentham by Jeremy Bentham, edited by John Bowring

Synonyms

• Dogmatism
• Authoritarianism

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