school of thought
school of thought (noun phrase)
/ˈskul əv ˈθɔt/
Meaning
- A particular way of thinking that a group of people share about a subject or issue.
- A set of ideas or opinions collectively held by a group regarding a matter.
- A group of people who follow the same philosophy, doctrine, or approach.
- A recognized intellectual tradition, movement, or philosophy within a specific discipline or cultural context.
Synonyms: perspective; viewpoint; approach; tradition; movement; doctrine; philosophy; outlook.
Example Sentences
- Many economists belong to one school of thought that supports free-market policies.
- There are several schools of thought on how the universe began.
- She belongs to a conservative school of thought in modern philosophy.
- The Frankfurt School is a famous school of thought in critical theory.
- There are different schools of thought on climate change.
Origin and History
The phrase “school of thought” refers to a particular set of ideas or beliefs held by a group of people, especially in an academic or philosophical context. Its origin is linked to the broader concept of a “school,” a word used since ancient times to describe a group of disciples or followers of a particular teacher.
The Ancient Roots of “School”
The word “school” comes from the Greek skholē, which first meant “leisure” and later came to mean “a place for discussion” or “a lecture.” In ancient Greece, philosophical discussions and teaching often took place during leisure time. Over time, the term evolved to describe a group of people who followed the teachings of a specific master.
Famous examples include the Platonic school and the Stoic school in ancient Greece, as well as the Hundred Schools of Thought in China. These were not physical schoolhouses but rather intellectual communities united by shared philosophies. By the early 1600s in English, “school” had developed the meaning of a group of thinkers sharing similar principles or methods.
The Evolution of the Phrase
The idiom “school of thought” grew naturally from this long tradition of intellectual groupings. It emphasizes that the unity is intellectual or philosophical rather than based on a physical location. Adding “of thought” made the meaning clear: it refers to people linked by ideas and reasoning rather than by formal schooling. This made the phrase a useful metaphor for categorizing philosophical and ideological movements.
Earliest Known Appearance
The earliest confirmed printed use of the full phrase dates to the mid‑19th century, with one of the earliest examples appearing in 1848. This usage firmly established the expression in the English language as a way to describe organized lines of thinking.
Although later examples, such as a 1963 U.S. newspaper reference, show how it appeared in everyday media, the 1848 citation remains the earliest reliably documented instance.
Country of Origin
The phrase originated in the English‑speaking world, most likely England, where intellectual circles were already using “school” to describe groups of thinkers. Its rise in printed English during the 19th century reflects the period’s fascination with categorizing ideas and academic movements.
Alternative Theories and Beliefs
Although the historical evidence points to a 19th‑century English origin, several complementary theories explain how the phrase may have developed.
Academic Tradition Theory
Old European universities often had distinct intellectual traditions named after their locations or leading figures—such as the Manchester school. Over time, “school” came to mean a tradition rather than a physical place.
Metaphorical Learning Theory
Ideas are often “taught” or passed from mentor to student. A cluster of thinkers who learned from the same source could naturally be called a school, and when applied to shared viewpoints, it became “school of thought.”
Ancient Philosophy Influence
The concept may have been inspired by the ancient philosophical schools of Greece and China, where groups of thinkers united under a common doctrine. Writers in the 19th century could have borrowed this familiar model for modern intellectual movements.
Newspaper Popularization Theory
While not the origin, early 20th‑century newspapers often used the phrase to describe competing viewpoints, helping it spread widely in public discourse.
Variants
- schools of thought
Similar Idioms
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