free-thinking

/'fri:'θiɳkiɳ/

Thân thiện

A free-thinking student questions the textbook's conclusion in class.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Independent in thought, especially regarding religion or established beliefs: Describes a person or their ideas as being unwilling to accept authority or dogma without question. It emphasizes forming one's own opinions based on reason and personal judgment rather than following traditional or prescribed doctrines.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • She was known for her free-thinking approach to philosophy, challenging ideas that others took for granted.
  • The university fostered a free-thinking environment where students were encouraged to debate all perspectives.
  • His free-thinking views on social norms often put him at odds with more conservative members of the community.

Advanced Usage

• As a noun (less common): The concept or practice of independent thought can be referred to as "free-thinking."
  • The essay was a celebration of intellectual free-thinking.

Variants and Related Words

• Freethinker (noun): A person who forms their own opinions, especially about religion, independently of authority or tradition.
  • He considered himself a freethinker who valued science and reason over dogma.

Synonyms

• Unorthodox: Not conforming to accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs.
• Nontraditional: Not bound by or adhering to tradition.
• Liberal (in thought): Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values.
• Independent-minded: Thinking for oneself; not influenced by others.

Antonyms

• Orthodox: Conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true.
• Dogmatic: Inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true.
• Conformist: A person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. unwilling to accept authority or dogma (especially in religion)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• latitudinarian
• undogmatic
• undogmatical