sitikinimai

Sitikinimai is a Lithuanian term that refers to beliefs, convictions, or certainties that a person or a group holds as true. It covers a range of ideas, including religious, philosophical, political, cultural, or everyday beliefs, as well as deeply held opinions about values or truths. Sitikinimai emphasize an internal conviction rather than an externally declared fact.

The word is formed from the verb įsitikinti, meaning to become convinced, with the prefix į- adding a sense of direction or emphasis. The noun is įsitikinimas, and its plural is sitikinimai. In phrasing, sitikinimai typically describe what someone or a society believes, rather than what they claim to be factually proven.

In usage, sitikinimai can appear in academic, media, or everyday language. They are commonly described as personal or collective, for example asmeniniai įsitikinimai or visuomeniniai įsitikinimai about climate change, morality, or national identity. The term carries a nuanced distinction from related concepts such as teiginiai (statements or propositions) and patvirtinimai (confirmations), since sitikinimai reflect conviction rather than merely asserted or proven statements.

Societal sitikinimai can influence behavior, policy preferences, and cultural norms, and they may change over time under new information or social influence. Discussions about sitikinimai often involve analysis of how beliefs are formed, transmitted, and challenged within communities.