Building a Better Vocabulary

and communist. A capitalist, for example, is “one who believes

in” capitalism.

z Two -isms that are commonly confused are agnosticism and atheism.

ż Agnosticism is a noun referring to the view that we do not

know or cannot know whether or not a deity exists.

ż Atheism, in contrast, is a noun referring to the belief that there

is no God. AtheismFRPHVIURPWKH*UHHNSUH¿[a-, meaning

“not or without,” and the Greek noun theos, meaning “god.”

Nihilism (noun)

A belief in nothing.

z Nihilism comes from the Latin nihil, meaning “nothing.” In

philosophy, this word refers to the complete rejection of religious

beliefs and moral values.

Solipsism (noun)

1. The philosophy that one has no valid reason for believing that
   anything exists except oneself.


2. An extreme preoccupation with one’s own feelings and thoughts.

z Solipsism was coined in 1871 from two Latin words: solus, meaning

“alone,” and ipse, meaning “self.” It’s commonly used in reference

to an extremely egocentric person.

Protean (adjective)

Able to take many forms or do many different things; versatile.

z Protean comes to us from Proteus, a sea god in Greek mythology

who both was prescient and could change shape. He would foretell

the future only to those who could catch him in his shape-shifting.