The meaning of the word "dogma" goes back to the ancient Greek language. Translated into Russian, it means “opinion”, “decision”, “decision”. Initially, it referred to decrees, orders, then to the position of a creed approved by the church, which was declared as a binding and unchanging truth, not subject to doubt and criticism. Later it began to be used in other areas.
Dictionary word
There it is considered as a book and is interpreted in two versions:
- The system of basic principles inherent in any teaching or scientific direction. For example, the dogma of Roman law or the dogma of materialism, religious dogma.
- An affirmation or clause that does not allow any objection.
Understanding what the word “dogma” means will help you become familiar with its origin.
Etymology
As mentioned above, it came from the ancient Greek language, where there is a noun δόγμα. Literally, it is “doctrine”, “opinion”. It is formed from the verb δοκέω, in which such meanings as “believe”, “seem”, “think”. This verb goes back to the pre-Indo-European form dek, which translates as “accept”.
In some European languages, the word is borrowed from the Latin noun dogma, where it came from ancient Greek. But in Russian, it appeared from Greek in antiquity. Etymologists compare the lexeme under study with the old Russian verb "dogmatisati", meaning "teach," "teach." It came from the ancient Greek δογματίζω, the meaning of which is “declare”, “affirm”, “teach”, “create dogmas”.
Variants of understanding the term
Let us consider how the meaning of the word "dogma" was understood by various authors in different periods.
- In Cicero, in ancient literature, these are doctrines that are generally known and are perceived as undeniable truths.
- So called some of the conclusions of Socrates and the teachings of Plato, as well as the Stoics.
- Xenophon by this means an order to which everyone in the army must obey unquestioningly - from the commander to the simple warrior.
- Herodian considers the term as a decree of the Senate, binding on the entire Roman people.
- In the Gospel of Luke, this is Caesar's command to carry out a census in the Roman Empire.
- In the Acts of the Apostles - royal laws.
- In the letters of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians and to the Colossians, the laws of Moses, which had divine authority, are so called.
Finally, for the first time, the definition of the church, whose authority must be unquestioned for each of its members, is indicated by the word “dogma” in the Book of Acts. Later, the concept of dogma was developed in the writings of the church fathers, and the term began to be understood as follows.
Dogmas are an indisputable truth given through divine revelation. In this sense, they are called the Lord, the Divine. They are opposed to the products of human thinking and personal opinions.