Heterodox is an adjective which describes someone who holds views or opinions that are not in accordance with established beliefs or tradition. Someone who may be considered to be unorthodox or unconventional.
Most often this word is used in the context of theology referring to people who challenge church doctrine and dogma. The word is also used in the context of economics, science, medicine and technology. Think of the advancements that have been achieved in these areas because people challenged acceptable beliefs and pursued unpopular theories and ideas.
I like to be around people who view the world outside the bounds of acceptable standards or opinions because they cause me to think about things differently and allow for thoughtful individual choices. It takes courage to state unpopular and seemingly impossible ideas. I am thankful for those who do.
Here is an example of how the word is used in a sentence:
"Darwin replied that a deity who did that would have to foresee everything in evolutionary history, leading to a very heterodox theology."
"Heterodox doctrines, in economics and elsewhere, often fail to get adequately discussed in their formative stages. Paul Krugman, “Is Capitalism Too Productive?,” Foreign Affairs 76, no. 5 (1997), p. 80.
What do you think of this word?
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