Page 404 - Social Sciences Humanities - The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 to 12 - 2013

THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9–12 | Social Sciences and Humanities
rights. In ethics and political philosophy, rights are legal or social principles or entitlements that cannot be infringed upon without some sort of consequence. Rights also come with responsibili­ ties, which include the responsibility to partici­ pate in political society and to respect others. Both rights and responsibilities are integral aspects of modern political and moral systems. See also political philosophy and social contract.
social and political philosophy. See political philosophy.
social contract. In political philosophy, a con­ tract or agreement between the citizens and the sovereign power or state. Through the social contract, each party agrees upon their respective rights and their responsibilities towards the other in order to form the society in which they live.
Socratic method. A method of teaching charac­ terized by a continual series of questions designed to uncover contradictions in thinking.
substance. A thing or object with an independent existence; a fundamental aspect of reality.
syllogism. A form of deductive reasoning consisting of premises and a conclusion.
totalitarianism. An ideologically driven system of rule that demands total control of all aspects of public life.
utilitarianism. A theory of ethics positing that the best actions are those that maximize pleasure and happiness and minimize pain and suffering.
utopianism. A belief in the existence or possibility of an ideal place or state of life. In political philos­ ophy, this is commonly referred to as an ideal state
or ideal society, in which the citizens and state share common interests and a common vision.
WORLD RELIGIONS
Abrahamic religions. Monotheistic faith traditions that share Abraham as a common important figure. Specifically, the term is used to describe Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
adherent. A follower of a religion or belief tradition.
agnosticism. The belief that the existence and/or nature of God cannot be known with any degree of certainty.
animism. The belief that all things – including plants, animals, inanimate objects, and other natural phenomena – possess a living soul.
anthropocentrism. The placement of humanity at the centre of existence.
asceticism. A way of life characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures for religious or spiritual reasons.
atheism. The belief that deities and other divine beings do not exist.
atonement. The act of reparation or making amends for wrongdoing.
civil observance. An act performed for ceremonial reasons that is without distinct religious implications.
clergy. Persons ordained for the function of religious duties.
commemoration. The ritualized remembrance of a deceased person or event from the past.
creed. A statement of faith or religious belief.
cult. A minority group with religious beliefs
or practices that are viewed by outsiders as strange or excessively zealous and that serve to unduly influence and control its membership.
deity. Within monotheistic faith traditions, this term describes the Creator and supreme being. Within polytheistic belief systems, it refers to a god or goddess.
denomination. A subgroup within a faith tradi­ tion with distinct beliefs that may or may not be deemed heretical by others within that
faith tradition.
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