freethought
- noun
- /ˈfriːˌθɔːt/
- At the conference, experts shared their insights on freethought as a means to foster critical thinking.
- freethought and humanist
- freethought community
- freethought movement
Examples
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Freethought was rich in German culture, as well as the cultures of other European immigrants to the United States.
Academic text (2010) -
So I'm sorry, but I really think that must remain central to the skeptical, freethought, and atheist activist communities.
Blog text (5) -
I once thought that the current freethought movement was much more progressive, but we are all human.
Blog text (15) -
For a community that promotes skepticism and freethought, I find the current trends disturbing.
Blog text (18) -
The continued participation and support of the humanist and freethought movements will be crucially important as we enter the new century.
Academic text (1997) -
Even after over twenty years of humanist and freethought activism, addressing this specific issue in the public forum has been a wake-up call for me.
Academic text (2002) -
At the Texas Freethought Convention a couple of weeks ago, a pro-choice atheist debated a pro-life atheist.
Blog text (8) -
Many people in Tucson actively engage in freethought discussions to challenge traditional beliefs.
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The philosophy of freethought encourages individuals to rely on reason and evidence rather than blind faith.
Synonyms
The belief that reason and logic give true knowledge more than feeling or experience
Forming your own opinions without following people in power, especially about religion
Forming opinions using reason and facts instead of following tradition or authority
A belief in religious ideas based on reason and facts rather than on tradition or leaders
Antonyms
How Evidence-Based
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Freethought joins free ('not controlled') and thought ('idea' or 'thinking'), so it literally means 'thinking that is free'. It became the name for people who use reason and evidence instead of following authority or tradition, which is why freethought today means forming your own beliefs by careful thinking.