Eclectisme

Eclectisme, or eclecticism, is an approach that emphasizes selecting ideas, styles, or principles from a range of sources rather than subscribing to a single doctrine. The term derives from the Greek eklegein, meaning “to select” or “to pick out.” In philosophy and theology, eclecticism refers to forming a coherent system by combining elements from different traditions, judged for usefulness or explanatory power rather than pedigree. It has historical roots in Renaissance humanism and recurs in various strands of European thought where no single authority seemed adequate to account for experience.

In the arts and architecture, eclecticism denotes the practice of synthesizing motifs from diverse historical styles into new works. In 19th-century Europe, architects and designers deliberately mixed Gothic, Classical, Renaissance, and Baroque features to create a continental historicist language. Eclectic design also appears in painting, literature, and music, where creators borrow across styles, genres, and cultures to broaden expressive range.

Religious or spiritual eclecticism describes practices that combine elements from different traditions, often within syncretic or pluralistic frameworks. Critics of eclecticism argue that it can obscure theoretical commitments, produce incongruous results, or encourage relativism; supporters contend that it fosters innovation, adaptability, and a practical synthesis of useful insights.

Today, eclecticism remains a widely used descriptor in cultural analysis, design, and critique, capturing a method that prizes selectivity and cross-cutting connections over strict adherence to a single tradition.