Doxa
| Part of a series on |
| Rhetoric |
|---|
 |
Doxa (
Etymology
The term doxa is an ancient Greek noun (δόξα) related to the verb dokein (δοκεῖν), meaning 'to appear, to seem, to think, to accept'.[1]
Between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, the term picked up an additional meaning when the
In philosophy
Plato
In his dialogue
This viewpoint extended into the concept of
While doxa is used as a tool for the formation of
Aristotle
Epicurus
The Principal Doctrines (Kyriai Doxai) are the main beliefs of the Epicurean school of Hellenistic philosophy, and constitute Epicurean orthodoxy. They are believed to be the authoritative conclusions arrived at by Epicurus, Metrodorus, and their close companions during the early years of the formation of the school, which were compiled into an epitome for the benefit of their disciples.
Contemporary interpretations
In sociology and anthropology (Bourdieu)
Pierre Bourdieu, in his Outline of a Theory of Practice (1972), used the term doxa to denote a society's taken-for-granted, unquestioned truths.[11] In comparison, opinion is the sphere of that which may be openly contested and discussed.[12] Bourdieu believes that doxa derives from socialization, as socialization also deals with beliefs that derive from society; as we grow up in the environment, we tend to believe what society tells us is correct. Adding on to his previous example, Bourdieu contends that it is a socially-accepted misconception that if you do not score as high as someone else, then you are obviously not as smart as they are. Scores do not prove that one is smarter, because there are many different factors that play into what you score on a test. People may excel within a certain topic and fail at another. However, even though it is a misconception, people tend to partake in common practices to make themselves feel better. In the case of common beliefs in school, the students who feel inferior due to popular belief that they are not as smart as the students who score higher than they, may experiment with drugs to ease the insecurities they face. Bourdieu believes that doxa is more than common belief: it also has the potential to give rise to common action.[13][14] This calls to attention that the notion of social order as naturally occurring is misperceived, disregarding its creation by political argumentation. Doxa, then, can be understood as created by argument as well as used in the formation of argument, essential for the establishment of democratic policies.
See also
References
- ^ Perseus Project.
- ^ Harper, Douglas (November 2001). "orthodox (adj.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
'what is regarded as true or correct [...]'
- ^ Harper, Douglas (November 2001). "heterodox (adj.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
'not in accordance with established doctrines'
- ISBN 978-0-14-014656-1.
The word 'Orthodoxy' has the double meaning of 'right belief' and 'right glory' (or 'right worship').
- ^ Plato. [380 B.C.E.]. Gorgias, translated by B. Jowett. – via Internet Classics Archive. Retrieved 2013-02-11.
- ^ Sorabji, Richard. 1992. Essays on Aristotle's De Anima, edited by M. C. Nussbaum. Oxford University Press.
- .
- ^ Herrick, James, A. (2005). The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction (3rd ed.). Allyn and Bacon.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Doxa". Credo Reference. Sage UK. 2005. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- S2CID 170165481. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
- ^ Bourdieu, Pierre. [1972] 1977. Outline of a Theory of Practice 16, translated by R. Nice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Nielsen, Finn Sivert. "Bourdieu, Pierre (Pierre-Félix) (1930-2002)." AnthroBase.
- ^ Bourdieu, Pierre, and Terry Eagleton. 1992. "Doxa and common life." New Left Review. pp. 111–21, 199.
- ^ Vernon, Phillip E. 1969. Intelligence and Cultural Environment. London: Methuen. p. 215.