lifestance

Lifestance, sometimes written as life stance, is a term used in philosophy, religious studies, and legal theory to describe a person’s comprehensive orientation toward life. It refers to the ensemble of beliefs, values, commitments, and practices that give meaning, purpose, and direction to a person’s existence. A lifestance typically addresses broad questions about reality, morality, purpose, and how one should live, and it guides choices, actions, and life projects.

The concept is related to, but distinct from, a simple belief system or a single doctrine. A lifestance is often understood as an integrated, lived orientation that can be religious, secular, or mixed. It encompasses not only cognitive beliefs but also commitments, motivations, and lifestyle implications, including attitudes toward moral duties, community, and personal development. While closely associated with the idea of a worldview, lifestance emphasizes the practical, governing role such beliefs play in daily life.

Examples include religious life stances (such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) and secular life stances (such as humanism, rationalism, or existentialist ethics). The term highlights how people organize their lives around overarching commitments, rather than focusing solely on specific doctrinal doctrines.

In law and philosophy, lifestance is sometimes invoked to discuss the protection of beliefs under freedom of conscience and belief. The concept acknowledges that both religious and nonreligious commitments can constitute core life-guiding beliefs deserving respect within society, while also recognizing debates about definition, scope, and rights.