Definitions: (1) existing in fact and truth; something definite and correct; (2) assured in mind or action; absolutely confident; convincing; (3) reliable; dependable
Synonyms: incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, undeniable, undoubted, unerring, unfailing, unquestionable
Balancing Quality: open-minded
Note: It is said ADOLPH HITLER (1885-1945) German Fuhrer, had more than one thousand books in his private library, but he hadn’t read even one of them because his mind was already made up. He was absolutely sure what he was doing was exactly what he was going to do. If he had possessed a modicum of open-mindedness, he would have been more reasonable and unable to focus his certainty to such a destructive extent.
Quote: Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. — Martin Luther (1483–1546) German priest & theologian
Comment: In 1927 WERNER HEISENBERG (1901–1976) a German theoretical physicist, proposed his ‘principle of uncertainty’ which states no event, not even atomic events, can be described with zero tolerance. That is, the more precisely one property is measured, the less precisely the other can be measured. Even though scientists know the “facts” have been revised many times as new information comes to light, they often insist on holding onto the old data as if nothing has changed.