uskokonaisuus

uskokonaisuus is a Finnish term that translates literally to "belief system" in English. It refers to the set of doctrines, values, and principles that a person or group holds to be true or as a basis for reasoning about reality. The concept is broadly similar to its English counterpart, encompassing religious, philosophical, political, and cultural frameworks that guide individual and collective behavior.

In a religious context, uskokonaisuus denotes the theological doctrines and rituals that define a faith tradition, such as the Christian doctrine of the Trinity or the Buddhist notion of impermanence. In philosophy, it can refer to the overarching worldview of schools such as existentialism or logical positivism. Politically, it describes the ideological foundations of a party or movement, for example the liberal democratic principles upheld by many Western parties. Culturally, it can include inherited norms and symbolic meanings that shape everyday life, such as the importance of respect for hierarchy in some Asian societies.

Recognition of a uskokonaisuus can help scholars analyze how ideas are transmitted, how identity is constructed, and how conflicts arise. By comparing the core tenets of different uskokonaisuudet, researchers can trace patterns of human thought and the evolution of social structures. Despite differences in language and cultural nuance, the concept of a belief system is universally useful for organising knowledge about how people interpret the world.