eklektilisus

Eklektilisus is a term used to describe an approach that blends ideas, methods, or styles from multiple sources rather than adhering to a single tradition. It emphasizes selective borrowing and synthesis, aiming to create a coherent system from diverse elements. The word derives from the Greek eklektikos, meaning "select" or "chosen."

Historically, eclecticism has roots in ancient philosophy, where scholars drew on ideas from several schools. In late antiquity and the medieval period, eclectic approaches reappeared as thinkers sought practical solutions by combining doctrines. During the Renaissance and Enlightenment, eclectic methods influenced philosophy, science, and aesthetics, encouraging cross-disciplinary borrowing. In the built environment, eclectic architecture and interior design became prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, coalescing classical, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance motifs to create new stylistic mixes.

In philosophy, eclecticism refers to selecting arguments, methods, or concepts from different systems to form a working framework rather than endorsing one doctrine. In the arts, eclecticism describes works that mix genres or historical styles. In religion and spirituality, eclectic movements combine beliefs from multiple traditions. Critics argue that eclecticism can sacrifice coherence for breadth, while proponents see it as a practical response to pluralism and the availability of diverse sources.

Today, eklektilisus remains a useful descriptor across disciplines. It denotes a pragmatic stance that values adaptability and synthesis, while inviting ongoing dialogue about what counts as a defensible integration of ideas.