School
Doctrine
Overview
Doctrine (from Latin: doctrina, meaning 'teaching, instruction') is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system. The etymological Greek analogue is 'catechism'.
Often the word doctrine specifically suggests a body of religious principles as promulgated by a church. Doctrine may also refer to a principle of law, in the common-law traditions, established through a history of past decisions.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Doctrine is discussed.
For no doctrine which borrows its principles is worthy of the name of wisdom; seeing that the wise man directs, and is not directed (Metaph. i). But this doctrine borrows its principles. Therefore this science is not wisdom. Obj. 2: Further, it is a part of wisdom to prove the principles of other sciences. Hence it is called the chief of sciences, as is clear in Ethic. vi.
Aquinas Thomas, Summa Theologica, Part I
names the idea; states what it is; author linked in the graph; opens on it
We may overlook the offenses and errors of life, for we daily sin much. Even the saints sin, as they themselves confess in the Lord’s Prayer and in the Creed. But our doctrine, God be praised, is pure, because all the articles of our faith are grounded on the Holy Scriptures. VERSE 11. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased.
Martin Luther, Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Nevertheless, the doctrine of a future life, accompanied with rewards and punishments, has been regarded for a great number of ages as the most powerful, or even as the only motive capable of coercing the passions of man; as the sole means that can oblige him to be virtuous: by degrees, this doctrine has become the basis of almost all religions and political systems, so much so, that at this day it is said, this…
Paul Henri Thiry Holbach, The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1
names the idea; opens on it
When either of these results has become apparent, controversy on the subject flags, and gradually dies away. The doctrine has taken its place, if not as a received opinion, as one of the admitted sects or divisions of opinion: those who hold it have generally inherited, not adopted it; and conversion from one of these doctrines to another, being now an exceptional fact, occupies little place in the thoughts of their…
John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
names the idea; opens on it
But Symmachus is here in a very great error; for it can be most manifestly proved that the doctrine now held by the Church is the first doctrine that was ever delivered to the world. And that is plainly shown in this "Book of Genesis," where both the doctrine is recorded as having been delivered of God; and also the increasing nations are described, which departed from the purity of that doctrine and formed for…
Martin Luther, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1
names the idea; states what it is
Philosophers who discussed Doctrine
- Jiddu Krishnamurti
- Augustine of Hippo
- Moritz Schlick
- Thomas Aquinas
- Willard Van Orman Quine
- Peter Abelard
- Hugo Grotius
- Hans Driesch
- Robert Paul Wolff
- William of Auvergne
- Michael Williams (philosopher)
Related ideas
- Epicurus
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- Belief
- Greek language
- Hinduism
- Jainism
- Law
- Contract
- Religion
- Christian theology
- Anekantavada
- Tort
- Trinity
- Brill Publishers
- United Nations
- Cold War
- Buddhism
- War
- Church Fathers
- Leiden
- Common law
- Reformed Christianity
- Catholic Church
- Etymology
Place in the tradition
Part of Anarchism.