Doctrinaire vs. Doctrine — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 6, 2024
Doctrinaire refers to a person who dogmatically applies theory without regard to practicality, while doctrine is a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religious, political, or other group.
Difference Between Doctrinaire and Doctrine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Doctrinaire individuals rigidly adhere to specific theories or ideologies, often applying these principles in an uncompromising or dogmatic manner. This approach can sometimes lead to impractical or unrealistic outcomes, as doctrinaires prioritize theoretical purity over practical considerations. On the other hand, a doctrine represents a codified set of beliefs, principles, or teachings that guide the actions, decisions, and thought processes of individuals or groups. Doctrines can be religious, political, legal, or philosophical in nature, serving as a foundation for collective identity and action.
While doctrinaires are often criticized for their inflexible adherence to abstract principles, doctrines themselves play a crucial role in providing a coherent framework for understanding the world and guiding behavior. Doctrines offer a collective sense of purpose and direction, whereas doctrinaires may isolate themselves or their followers by insisting on strict adherence to specific interpretations of these frameworks, regardless of context or consequence.
The distinction between being doctrinaire and adhering to a doctrine lies in flexibility and application. Doctrines are adaptable and can be interpreted in various ways to fit different circumstances, reflecting a balance between idealism and pragmatism. Doctrinaires, however, tend to reject compromise, viewing any deviation from their interpretation of doctrine as unacceptable.
This difference highlights the tension between theory and practice within any ideological or belief system. While doctrines provide the theoretical underpinnings for collective identities and actions, the doctrinaire approach can hinder adaptation and practical application, potentially leading to conflict or stagnation within groups or societies.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A person who applies theory rigidly.
A set of beliefs or principles.
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Focus
Application of theory without practicality.
Guiding principles or beliefs.
Criticism
Often seen as inflexible or unrealistic.
Can be misinterpreted or rigidly applied.
Nature
Personal attribute or approach.
Collective set of teachings or beliefs.
Application
May lead to impractical outcomes.
Serves as a foundation for action and thought.
Compare with Definitions
Doctrinaire
Someone who dogmatically follows an ideology.
His doctrinaire approach to economics ignores the nuances of real-world application.
Doctrine
Can be religious, political, or philosophical.
The political doctrine emphasized individual freedom and responsibility.
Doctrinaire
May lead to isolation or conflict.
The leader’s doctrinaire methods created divisions within the organization.
Doctrine
A set of beliefs held and taught by a group.
The doctrine of non-violence has influenced many social movements.
Doctrinaire
Characterized by a refusal to adapt theory to practice.
The politician’s doctrinaire stance alienated pragmatic voters.
Doctrine
Serves as a collective identity.
The doctrine united the followers around a common set of principles.
Doctrinaire
Often criticized for impracticality.
The doctrinaire policies failed because they didn't consider practical challenges.
Doctrine
Adaptable to different interpretations.
The religious doctrine is subject to various interpretations by scholars.
Doctrinaire
Insists on theoretical purity over compromise.
Her doctrinaire interpretation of the law made negotiation impossible.
Doctrine
Provides a framework for understanding and action.
The company’s doctrine on customer service is central to its success.
Doctrinaire
Relating to, adhering to, or insisting upon a doctrine or theory without regard to practical considerations or problems.
Doctrine
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.
Doctrinaire
A doctrinaire person.
Doctrine
A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.
Doctrinaire
A person who stubbornly holds to a philosophy or opinion regardless of its feasibility.
Doctrine
A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent.
Doctrinaire
(historical) In France, in 1815-30, one of a school who desired a constitution like that of Britain.
Doctrine
A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign affairs and military strategy.
Doctrinaire
Stubbornly holding on to an idea without concern for practicalities or reality.
Doctrine
(Archaic) Something taught; a teaching.
Doctrinaire
One who would apply to political or other practical concerns the abstract doctrines or the theories of his own philosophical system; a propounder of a new set of opinions; a dogmatic theorist. Used also adjectively; as, doctrinaire notions.
Doctrine
(countable) A belief or tenet, especially about philosophical or theological matters.
The incarnation is a basic doctrine of classical Christianity.
The four noble truths summarise the main doctrines of Buddhism.
Doctrinaire
A stubborn person of arbitrary or arrogant opinions
Doctrine
The body of teachings of an ideology, most often a religion, or of an ideological or religious leader, organization, group, or text.
What is the understanding of marriage and family in orthodox Marxist doctrine?
Doctrinaire
Stubbornly insistent on theory without regard for practicality or suitability
Doctrine
(countable) A self-imposed policy governing some aspect of a country's foreign relations, especially regarding what sort of behavior it will or will not tolerate from other countries.
Doctrine
Teaching; instruction.
He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken.
Doctrine
That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances.
Articles of faith and doctrine.
Unpracticed he to fawn or seek for powerBy doctrines fashioned to the varying hour.
Doctrine
A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
Common Curiosities
What is a doctrinaire?
A doctrinaire is someone who rigidly applies theoretical principles without considering practicality.
What is the difference between being doctrinaire and having a doctrine?
Being doctrinaire involves rigidly applying theory without regard to practicality, while having a doctrine means adhering to a set of guiding beliefs or principles.
Can a doctrine change over time?
Yes, doctrines can evolve and adapt over time, reflecting changes in understanding, interpretation, or societal needs.
How do doctrines influence group behavior?
Doctrines provide a shared framework that guides the actions, decisions, and thought processes of a group, influencing collective behavior and identity.
What role does interpretation play in doctrine?
Interpretation is crucial in doctrine, as it allows for the adaptation and application of principles to different contexts and times.
How does a doctrinaire view compromise?
A doctrinaire typically views compromise as a weakening of theoretical purity, preferring adherence to principles over practical adjustments.
What does doctrine mean?
Doctrine refers to a set of beliefs, principles, or teachings held by a religious, political, or other group.
Can someone be doctrinaire in their personal beliefs?
Yes, individuals can be doctrinaire in their personal beliefs, applying them rigidly in various aspects of their life.
How can a doctrinaire approach affect decision-making?
A doctrinaire approach can lead to impractical decisions by prioritizing theoretical purity over practical considerations.
How can a balance be found between doctrinaire approaches and practical application?
Balance can be found through open-mindedness, flexibility, and a willingness to consider practical realities alongside theoretical principles.
Can a doctrine be universally accepted within a group?
While a doctrine may be broadly accepted within a group, there can still be variations in interpretation and application among individuals.
Why are doctrinaires often criticized?
Doctrinaires are criticized for their inflexibility and failure to adapt their theoretical principles to real-world complexities.
Is doctrine always religious?
No, doctrines can be religious, political, legal, or philosophical, encompassing a wide range of belief systems.
What leads to the development of a doctrine?
Doctrines develop from the need to codify beliefs, principles, or teachings that guide the actions and thoughts of a group or society.
Can doctrines be harmful?
While doctrines themselves provide guidance, their misinterpretation or rigid application can lead to exclusion, conflict, or harm.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
