fideism
|fi-de-ism|
/ˈfaɪdɪɪzəm/
faith over reason
Etymology
'fideism' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'fides', where 'fides' meant 'faith'. The English suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin/French) was added to form a doctrine-name.
'fideism' developed in English in the 19th century by combining the Latin combining form 'fide-' (from 'fides') with the suffix '-ism'; it became used to label the doctrine that emphasizes faith.
Initially related simply to 'faith' (from Latin 'fides'), the term evolved to denote specifically the philosophical/theological position that faith is independent of or superior to reason.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the philosophical or theological view that religious belief depends on faith rather than reason, often holding that faith is independent of or superior to rational justification.
Many critics accuse fideism of abandoning rational inquiry by claiming that faith alone suffices for religious truth.
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Noun 2
a tendency or attitude of relying primarily on faith and refusing to submit religious beliefs to critical or evidential evaluation.
The scholar warned against a simplistic fideism that dismisses all questions about evidence or coherence.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 00:06