Philosophical Naiveté Philosophical Incorrigibility Philosophical Obscurantism

Sister James represented
philosophical naiveté for the
reason that she only believes
things based on her senses. At
first, she assumed that there is
something wrong between Fr.
Flynn and Donald Miller when
the priest called Donald to the
rectory alone and came back to
class upset with a smell of
alcohol. She later saw the priest
put back a shirt in the locker of
Donald Miller. Because of this
incident, she tell Sister Aloysius
of this incident. But when she
heard his explanation, she
believed that there is nothing
wrong and Donald Miller only
drink the altar wine.
Mrs. Miller represented Fr. Flynn best represented the
philosophical incorrigibility philosophical obscurantism
because even she doubt that because he prevented Sister
there is something between her Aloysius from knowing the truth
son and Fr. Flynn but she by using his power of authority
chooses to believe for the that she has no right to act on
reason that priest is like her her own and she must not go
son’s guardian in the school. out of the church.
Her son was beat by his father
because of her “son’s nature”.
Thus, even there is possibility
that Fr. Flynn recognized her
son’s femininity (that’s why the
priest choose her son for
abuse), she wants her son to
graduate and someone who can
show love to her son.
Therefore, she insists Sister
Aloysius that the allegations be
hushed until graduation.

Dogmatism Constructive Skepticism Destructive Skepticism

Sister James is the best example
of dogmatism. She just accept
the explanation of Fr. Flynn as
the truth without further
investigation.
I consider Sister Aloysius
represent constructive
skepticism for she was very
certain until the end of the
story that her doubt is the
possible truth. She was very
certain that Fr. Flynn committed
sexual misconduct against
Donald Miller for she based it
on her past experiences.
I consider Sister James as a
destructive skepticism for she
had doubts, but she was never
certain if the said doubts are
true and never conduct an
investigation regarding her
doubts. In order not to feel
guilty bout the allegations she
made, she chooses to believe
that Fr. Flynn’s explanation is
true.

The movie was entitled “Doubt” because from the start of the story up to an end, doubt is the main
subject of the movie. There is no confirmation of the truth claims of each character in the story and it
puzzled the audience with questions such as: Was Fr. Flynn really committed sexual misconduct? Was
the claim of Sister Aloysius truth? Why does Fr. Flynn resigns the church after Sister Aloysius lied o
calling the nuns of his former parish? Why does the church promote Fr. Flynn if he really committed
sexual misconduct? Does the authority in church do something to prevent sexual misconduct of the
priests? What does the meaning of “I have doubts” of Sister Aloysius in the ending part?
I assumed that Fr. Flynn committed improper sexual relation with Donald Miller because the question
“why would he resigned after believing the lie of Sister Aloysius that she called the nun of his former
parish?” which proves him guilty. In addition, the scene of giving Donald Miller a doll toy, Donald Miller
asking Jimmy if he was fat, the cleanliness of Father Flynn’s nail and how he was mad when he saw Mrs.
Miller talk to Sister Aloysius which gives me an impression that Fr. Flynn committed this sexual
infringement. Moreover, his character in the movie was not consistent in his claims.