Heterodox

Heterodox is an adjective and noun used to describe beliefs, practices, or theories that depart from accepted or orthodox positions. The term derives from Greek heterodoxos, from heteros "other" and doxa "opinion, belief." In religious contexts, heterodox refers to doctrines or practices that diverge from the official dogma of a church or denomination; heterodoxy is the stance or movement that holds such views, while orthodoxy denotes conformity to the established doctrine.

In secular discourse, heterodox is applied to ideas that lie outside the mainstream within a field. Heterodox economics, for example, describes schools that depart from neoclassical assumptions about rationality, equilibrium, or market efficiency, including Keynesian, institutional, and Marxist traditions. In political and social theory, heterodox approaches challenge prevailing orthodoxies on topics such as governance, markets, or social policy. In science, heterodox theories may question dominant models or methods, though they must withstand empirical scrutiny to gain broader acceptance.

The label is context dependent and can carry evaluative connotations, ranging from neutral description to pejorative critique depending on speaker and setting. Because what counts as orthodox varies across institutions and periods, the boundary with heterodox ideas is flexible and often contested.