questioning beliefs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questioning beliefs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of critically examining or challenging one's own or others' beliefs or assumptions. Example: "In her latest book, she emphasizes the importance of questioning beliefs to foster personal growth and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Rushdie had every reason to think himself safe writing in England, enclosed by the Western world & its profound belief in questioning beliefs.

The New Yorker

In Open to Reason, Souleymane Bachir Diagne, professor of French and philosophy, traces Muslims' intellectual and spiritual history of examining and questioning beliefs and arguments to show how Islamic philosophy has always engaged critically with texts and ideas both inside and outside its tradition.

Columbia University

Claudia L. Bushman, a professor of American studies at Columbia University and author of "Contemporary Mormonism: Latter-day Saints in Modern America" (Praeger Publishers), said those who left the faith were viewed with suspicion or shunned when they deviated, for example, by not attending church, not tithing, questioning beliefs, drinking coffee or using tobacco.

The New York Times

Journalists are considered objective when their reporting accepts the dominant worldview as a given, without questioning beliefs and assumptions that may or may not hold up to scrutiny.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As the priests argue about whether it is rational to believe in U.F.O.'s it is clear they are questioning belief altogether, and any statement by one is sure to be misinterpreted by the others, until two of them dream of or actually have close encounters in the night with bands of very amusing aliens.

The New York Times

Questioning your beliefs and the beliefs of others is difficult, but rewarding work.

WikiHow

In a 2008 study, Klontz and a team of psychologists found that people could reduce their sense of shame about debt by figuring out where their beliefs about money came from, and questioning those beliefs.

Huffington Post

People who had devoted their lives to the sciences found themselves questioning their beliefs..

The Guardian

As a social fact, it constrains and facilitates the development, expression, and questioning of beliefs and positions.

Harvard University

Raised a Presbyterian, Mr. Bothwell began questioning Christian beliefs at a young age, he said, and considered himself an atheist by the time he was 20.

The New York Times

When blushing is very noticeable surgery can make a difference;  when it's not so extreme cognitive behavioural therapy can help by questioning those beliefs about the consequences of a red face.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, employ "questioning beliefs" to introduce discussions about epistemology, critical thinking, or the evolution of thought.

Common error

Avoid using "questioning beliefs" when a more specific term like "challenging assumptions" or "re-evaluating perspectives" would provide greater clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questioning beliefs" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "questioning beliefs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight the act of critically examining or challenging established ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in English writing. It appears commonly in diverse contexts, with a tendency toward neutral and formal registers, often surfacing in discussions around personal growth, societal re-evaluation, and academic inquiry. Alternative phrases, such as "challenging assumptions" or "examining convictions", can provide greater specificity depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

querying tenets

Directly questions the foundational principles or doctrines of a belief system.

challenging assumptions

Focuses on the act of disputing underlying assumptions rather than beliefs specifically.

investigating convictions

Implies a systematic examination to understand the basis and implications of strong beliefs.

examining convictions

Emphasizes a careful and detailed inspection of deeply held beliefs.

scrutinizing ideologies

Highlights the critical analysis of systems of ideas or beliefs.

analyzing principles

Focuses on breaking down and evaluating fundamental beliefs or doctrines.

re-evaluating perspectives

Suggests a process of reassessing viewpoints, which may stem from beliefs.

contesting dogmas

Specifically targets the act of opposing established and often rigid beliefs.

debating philosophies

Involves formal discussion and argument regarding different belief systems.

pondering creeds

Implies a thoughtful consideration of formal statements of belief.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "questioning beliefs" in a sentence?

Use "questioning beliefs" to introduce a critical examination of existing ideas. For example, "The course encourages students in /s/questioning+beliefs about traditional economic models".

What are some alternatives to "questioning beliefs"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "challenging assumptions", "examining convictions", or "scrutinizing ideologies".

In what situations is it appropriate to talk about "questioning beliefs"?

It's fitting when discussing personal growth, societal changes, or academic topics that involve critical thinking and the re-evaluation of established ideas.

How does "questioning beliefs" differ from "challenging beliefs"?

"Questioning beliefs" implies an inquiry and analysis, while "challenging beliefs" suggests a direct confrontation or opposition to those beliefs. The former is more about understanding, the latter about disputing.