Sin of Certainty

We recently watched the movie Conclave. One quote from the character Cardinal Lawrence struck a chord and is perhaps more significant than it would have been in another era. Had it been uttered just a decade ago, it would likely have been just another line in a very good movie. That quote follows:

"Over the course of many years in service of our Mother the Church, let me tell you, there is one sin which I have come to fear over all others: Certainty. Certainty is the great enemy of unity. Certainty is the deadly enemy of tolerance."

The quote highlights the risks of absolute certainty. Cardinal Lawrence argues that rigid conviction can cause division and intolerance, impeding adaptation and unity. Embracing doubt and different perspectives is crucial for maintaining unity and tolerance. While certain times call for specificity of purpose after careful thought, staying that course at all costs will often lead to disaster.

The captain of a ship or a general leading a battle need conviction of purpose and direction. The problem comes when it becomes apparent that your current actions need to be reconsidered. I think Captain Edward John Smith and General George Armstrong Custer would agree. Captain Smith chose to ignore multiple warnings about icebergs and ice fields in the area and continued to push Titanic at high speed. In General Custer’s case, his combination of bravery and recklessness proved that his 450 men were no match for 3,000 Lakota Indians.

Unquestioned certainty hinders both personal understanding and collective progress. Ignoring other perspectives or failing to question assumptions stifles critical thinking, which is essential for learning, growth, and adaptation. This kind of certainty can lead to dogmatism, where ideas are accepted as truth without evidence or reasoning. It undermines open dialogue, stifles innovation, and can escalate conflicts, as differing views are not just disagreed with but dismissed outright.

History shows that unexamined certainty can cause harm in science, politics, religion, and social norms. Refusing to consider alternatives often leads to injustice. True wisdom is about admitting our mistakes and updating our beliefs with new information. Reflection and openness protect us from the dangers of certainty. Conviction of purpose and doubt can coexist. It is healthy and a sign of true leadership to reflect, reexamine, and change course when necessary. Admit your mistakes and move in a new learned direction.

Within the quote from Cardinal Lawrence is an admission that faith and doubt can coexist and that doubt can strengthen faith. It is a cautionary tale against dogmatism and the dangers of believing one’s own viewpoint as an absolute truth. In our polarized world of today, fraught with divisiveness and a refusal to listen or consider other points of view, we are at great disadvantage when trying to solve our shared challenges.

When we make mistakes, it should be seen as an opportunity to find a better direction and not an opportunity to blame others and be judgmental. Intellectual humility when making crucial decisions is what distinguishes great leaders from failed despots.