orthopraxis

9.9

Belief that correct actions and rituals matter more than correct beliefs, often in religion

noun
/ˌɔrθəˈpræksɪs/

Formal

: ortopraxis

Many argue that orthopraxis is essential for a well-functioning society, as it focuses on doing the right things in practice.

Examples

The community's commitment to orthopraxis ensured that their actions aligned with their values and teachings.
In terms of "orthopraxis," the Byzantines, like Christians of other times and places, often failed to incarnate the truth in their church life.

Academic text (1991)
This concern is typically expressed in the demand that theology be concerned not only with orthodoxy but also with orthopraxis, i.e., seek to norm not only ideas and confessions but Christian action in the world.

Academic text (1990)
In some religious traditions, orthopraxis emphasizes the importance of rituals over personal beliefs.

Synonyms

orthopraxy

vsorthopraxis

Formal

1 9.9

To follow correct religious or traditional rituals and customs

emphasizes that correct actions matter more than correct beliefs

How Practice-Oriented

ritualism

1 8.6

orthopraxis

Formal

9.9

orthodoxy

29 7.4

Surface Forms

orthopraxis singular

orthopraxes plural

Morphology

orthopraxis = praxis (semi-transparent) = ortho + praxis

The meaning is literally 'correct practice' from 'ortho-' + 'praxis', but both elements are academic/Greek-derived and not fully familiar to average learners.

Etymology

The word orthopraxis comes from Greek parts ortho- meaning 'correct' and praxis meaning 'action' or 'practice', and the ortho- part is the same as in orthodox. So orthopraxis is a handy way to remember the idea of 'correct practice' — that doing the right actions or rituals matters more than just having the right beliefs.