orthodoxies

Orthodoxy refers to adherence to accepted, official, or established beliefs, doctrines, or practices within a particular tradition or field. The term comes from the Greek orthos “right” or “straight” and doxa “opinion” or “belief.” It is often used to describe what a community considers correct doctrine as opposed to dissenting or alternative views.

In religious contexts, orthodoxy denotes the set of beliefs regarded as authoritative by a faith community. In Christianity, the term is linked to branches such as Eastern Orthodoxy, which emphasizes continuity with undisputed early church teaching, sacraments, and church authority. In Judaism, Orthodox Judaism refers to a movement that seeks to preserve traditional halakhic practice and interpretation. In Islam, discussions of orthodoxy commonly refer to mainstream or Sunni Islam, sometimes framed as adherence to established creeds and practices, while different branches or schools may interpret orthodoxy in distinct ways.

Outside religion, orthodoxy can describe the prevailing consensus or dominant framework within a discipline. In science, for example, “scientific orthodoxy” refers to widely accepted theories and methods that guide research, although such consensus can shift with new evidence or insights. In philosophy and social sciences, orthodoxy may denote conventional viewpoints or normative theories that guide inquiry and policy.

Orthodoxy often coexists with terms such as heterodoxy (deviation from accepted beliefs) and orthopraxy (correct practice). The label can be constructive, signaling shared standards, or critical, signaling gatekeeping or resistance to change. Discussions about orthodoxy commonly address who defines the orthodox position and how flexibility or reform is accommodated within a tradition or field.