ortodoxie

Orthodoxy, from Greek orthos meaning correct and doxa meaning opinion or belief, is the doctrine of adhering to accepted or traditional beliefs, practices, or standards. In everyday use, orthodoxy means conformity to an established or widely accepted set of rules or creeds. The opposite concept is heterodoxy, referring to beliefs or practices that depart from the official or mainstream line. The term is used across religious and secular contexts to describe what a community regards as the authoritative or correct position on a given matter.

In Christianity, orthodoxy commonly denotes the body of beliefs regarded as essential by a tradition. The term is used to describe the major branch known as the Orthodox Church, which emphasizes apostolic succession, conciliarity, and a shared creed, and to distinguish this mainstream position from other groups perceived as unorthodox or heretical within the Christian spectrum.

In secular usage, orthodoxy refers to the prevailing theories, methods, or practices considered standard within a field. For example, “economic orthodoxy” describes mainstream economic theories, while “medical orthodoxy” refers to conventional medical practice. The term thus functions as a descriptive label for the alignment between theory and practice that a community accepts as legitimate.