heretical

Heretical refers to beliefs, doctrines, or practices that depart from established or orthodox doctrine, especially within a religious tradition. The term can also describe ideas that challenge dominant interpretations in fields such as philosophy or science, though its use is more common in religious contexts and can carry a pejorative tone.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin hereticus and Greek hairesis, from hairein “to take” or “to choose,” indicating a chosen sect or opinion. In early Christian rhetoric, heresy described deviation from accepted doctrine as determined by church authorities.

Usage and history: In medieval Christianity, heresy was treated as a crime against the community and often met with formal procedures, excommunication, and sometimes coercive penalties. The boundaries between orthodoxy and heresy shifted over time as councils defined creeds and interpretations. Not all dissenting views were labeled heretical, and some ideas subsequently became mainstream through reform or reinterpretation. The concept also appears in other religious traditions, where deviations from core beliefs are sometimes characterized as heretical.

Modern usage: In contemporary discourse, heretical is more often used descriptively in scholarly contexts to mark deviations from established doctrines, or rhetorically to challenge authority. The term is sometimes contested, reflecting debates over what constitutes legitimate religious or philosophical disagreement. Related terms include orthodoxy, heterodoxy, and dissent, while heresiology is the study of heresies.