isms
Schools of thought
Isms is the plural of ism, referring to doctrines, ideologies, or belief systems—typically ones ending in that suffix: capitalism, feminism, racism.
Often used dismissively to lump together various ideologies without engaging them seriously: He dismissed all their isms and causes.
The word suggests abstract theories rather than practical concerns.
Advocacy for sex equality
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
- classismPrejudice by economic rank
ableism · speciesism · elitism · pacifism · environmentalism · veganism · vegetarianism · multiculturalism
Belief in deity
- atheismRejection of deities
- agnosticismDoubt about divine existence
- deismNon-intervening creator belief
- pantheismReality itself is holy
monotheism · polytheism · spiritualism · paganism · shamanism · totemism · mysticism · fundamentalism
Philosophy stressing self-created meaning
- nihilismRejection of objective meaning
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- hedonismPursuit of gratification
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
empiricism · rationalism · idealism · realism · materialism · dualism · monism · epicureanism
Communal economic control
- communismCollective ownership system
- fascismUltranationalist dictatorial political system
- libertarianismMinimal-government political philosophy
- conservatismPreference for existing institutions
liberalism · progressivism · nationalism · populism · authoritarianism · totalitarianism · republicanism · monarchism
Style prioritizing perception
- expressionismDistorting reality for emotion
- surrealismIrrational, dreamlike aesthetic
- cubismGeometric, fragmented visual style
- dadaismAbsurdist artistic movement
minimalism · romanticism · classicism · baroque · realism · naturalism · symbolism · futurism
feminism
Advocacy for sex equality
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
classism · ableism · speciesism · elitism · pacifism · environmentalism · veganism · vegetarianism · multiculturalism · traditionalism
theism
Belief in deity
- atheismRejection of deities
- agnosticismDoubt about divine existence
- deismNon-intervening creator belief
pantheism · monotheism · polytheism · spiritualism · paganism · shamanism · totemism · mysticism · fundamentalism · evangelicalism
existentialism
Philosophy stressing self-created meaning
- nihilismRejection of objective meaning
- stoicismUncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- hedonismPursuit of gratification
pragmatism · empiricism · rationalism · idealism · realism · materialism · dualism · monism · epicureanism · cynicism
socialism
Communal economic control
- communismCollective ownership system
- fascismUltranationalist dictatorial political system
- libertarianismMinimal-government political philosophy
conservatism · liberalism · progressivism · nationalism · populism · authoritarianism · totalitarianism · republicanism · monarchism · federalism
impressionism
Style prioritizing perception
- expressionismDistorting reality for emotion
- surrealismIrrational, dreamlike aesthetic
- cubismGeometric, fragmented visual style
dadaism · minimalism · romanticism · classicism · baroque · realism · naturalism · symbolism · futurism · constructivism
Self-directed reasoning
gut feelings · hunches · intuitions · impressions · instincts
ismspractices
Repeated training sessions
facts · realities · empiricism · lived experience · praxis
ismspragmatism
Practical problem-solving philosophy
practicality · flexibility · open-mindedness · adaptability · common sense
capitalism, altruism, aphorism, activism, antagonism, alcoholism, animism, asceticism, anarchism