doxai

Doxai is the transliteration of the plural Greek noun doxa (δόξαι), typically rendered in English as “opinions,” “beliefs,” or, in some contexts, “glories” or “reputations.” The term is most often encountered in classical and philosophical discussions of belief, rather than as a modern technical term with a single fixed definition.

Etymology and usage in ancient Greek literature

Doxa in Greek originally connoted opinion or belief and also carried the sense of reputation or splendor. In plural form, doxai appears in various authors to denote the array of beliefs, judgments, or reputations held by individuals or communities. In ancient philosophy, doxa became central to distinguishing what is merely believed from what is known, a distinction frequently framed as doxa versus episteme (knowledge). The related term doxography refers to the compilation and summary of philosophers’ opinions rather than an original argument.

Philosophical significance

In Platonic and Aristotelian contexts, doxa is often treated as inferior to knowledge, yet still influential as the ordinary beliefs that must be examined or corrected. Some discussions emphasize endoxa—widely held or generally accepted opinions—as starting points for inquiry. The concept also appears in rhetoric and epistemology as a way to describe beliefs that are widely accepted but not empirically justified.

Modern usage

In social theory, doxa is used to describe taken-for-granted beliefs that shape social practices and norms. Though “doxa” is the common term in contemporary scholarship, the plural form doxai is primarily found in translations of ancient texts or linguistic analyses rather than in everyday English usage.