quietism
UK[ˈkwaɪətɪzəm]US[ˈkwaɪətɪzəm]
n
A state of calm acceptance, without trying to change or react to things.
n
A Christian mystical doctrine of the 17th century advocating passive contemplation and withdrawal of the will as the path to spiritual perfection.
Morpheme Breakdown
quiet
ism
quiet
calm
ism
doctrine
Etymology
The word "quietism" is a modern philosophical and theological term constructed from classical elements. Its core, "quiet," descends from the Latin quietus, meaning "at rest" or "peaceful," which itself originates from the Proto-Indo-European root kweie-, meaning "to rest, be quiet." The suffix "-ism," borrowed via Latin from Greek -ismos, systematically denotes a distinctive practice, system, or doctrine. Thus, the literal construction "quiet-ism" logically yields the abstract meaning of "a doctrine of quietness." Historically, this term was first applied to a specific 17th-century Christian mystical movement that preached passive mental and spiritual quietude as the highest form of religious life, a meaning which later broadened to describe any attitude of passive acceptance or calm detachment in secular contexts.
Analysis
Structure: quiet (calm) + ism (doctrine)
- quiet: From Latin quietus (calm, at rest). Functions as the core adjective/state.
- ism: From Greek -ismos, a suffix forming nouns of action, practice, or doctrine. Functions as a noun-forming suffix indicating a system or philosophy.
Examples
His political quietism in the face of the crisis frustrated his more activist colleagues.
The philosophy teacher explained how quietism differs from stoicism in its emphasis on total passivity.
Critics accused the religious sect of promoting a dangerous quietism that discouraged moral action.