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hairesis  Term Image (αιρησις) Script Image
(Language:  Greek)
Alternate Spellings:
Short Description: taking, choice, course of action, election, decision
Long Description: taking, choice, course of action, election, decision; this term (plural, haireseis) refers to any group of people perceived to have a clear doctrinal identity; hairesis is a group with fairly coherent and distinctive theories, with an acknowledged founder ( hairesi-arches) and leaders who articulate their rejection of rival theories through theoretically founded polemics; Diodorus of Sicily complains that the Hellenes, unlike the Orientals, always introduce doctrinal innovations in important matters, thus ‘founding new haireseis’ (2.29.6); in the II century A.D., hairesis had become a standard term for philosophical school; the early Christians use of hairesis to refer to a body of false beliefs.
Example(s):
Source(s): The Golden Chain: An Anthology of Platonic and Pythagorean Philosophy, by Dr. Algis Uždavinys
Notes & References:
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Related Terms:
Provided By: Dictionary of Spiritual Terms