Definition

Noun: 1. A form of religious mysticism emphasizing inner peace and passive contemplation: Quietism is a Christian philosophy that advocates achieving spiritual perfection through the annihilation of the personal will and passive contemplation of God, withdrawing from active effort and external concerns. 2. A state of calm acceptance or passivity: In a broader, often secular sense, quietism can refer to a passive attitude or policy of non-involvement, especially in political or social matters.

Usage Examples

• Religious context:
  • The teachings of quietism were influential among some 17th-century Catholic mystics.
  • He practiced a form of quietism, believing that spiritual peace came from surrendering his will entirely to God.
• Secular context:
  • The government accused the opposition of political quietism for failing to propose an active alternative.
  • Her quietism in the face of the crisis frustrated those who wanted immediate action.

Advanced Usage

• "Philosophical quietism": In contemporary philosophy, this term refers to the view that philosophy should not construct substantive theories but rather aim to dissolve philosophical problems, showing them to be confusions of language. This usage is distinct from the religious meaning.
  • The later work of Wittgenstein is often associated with a form of philosophical quietism.

Variants and Related Words

• Quietist (noun): A person who adheres to or advocates for quietism.
  • The quietist spent hours in silent meditation.
• Quietistic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of quietism.
  • His quietistic approach to governance favored introspection over intervention.

Synonyms

• Passivity: The state of accepting what happens without active response.
• Contemplation: Deep reflective thought, especially on spiritual matters.
• Mysticism: Belief in the spiritual apprehension of truths beyond the intellect.
• Fatalism: The belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable, leading to passive acceptance.

Antonyms

• Activism: The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
• Asceticism: Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons (often involves active effort, unlike the passive nature of quietism).
• Interventionism: The policy or practice of intervening in the affairs of others, especially by a state in the affairs of another.

Noun

1. a form of religious mysticism requiring withdrawal from all human effort and passive contemplation of God