doxa

Doxa is a term derived from the Greek δόξα, historically meaning glory or praise but also referring to opinion, belief, or common sense. In ancient Greek thought, doxa designated ordinary belief or perception, contrasted with episteme, which signified certain knowledge. The word passed into Latin and later into modern philosophy with a broad range of senses tied to what is believed or assumed rather than proven.

In philosophy, doxa has been used to distinguish belief from knowledge. For Plato, doxa referred to opinion that can be persuasive yet not secure; for Aristotle, it described beliefs grounded in perception and experience. In contemporary social and cultural theory, doxa often denotes the taken-for-granted assumptions that shape how people think and act, sometimes sustaining power structures. Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu popularized the idea of doxa as the horizon of what is accepted as natural within a field, beyond explicit rules or arguments.

In religious and liturgical usage, doxa frequently denotes the glory of the divine. The term underlies words such as doxology (a short hymn of praise to God) and is linked to orthodoxy (correct belief) and doxastic (relating to belief). The root conveys a sense of reverence and evaluative standing in belief systems.

Other uses include the brand name Doxa, a Swiss watchmaker known for dive watches such as the Doxa Sub, illustrating a contemporary, non-philosophical appropriation of the term. Overall, doxa remains a versatile concept across philosophy, sociology, theology, and popular culture to describe what is believed, assumed, or celebrated within a given tradition.