metanoia
/ˌmɛtəˈnɔɪ.ə/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
μετά (meta) + νοέω (noeō) — after/beyond + to think
Overview
Meaning Now
- A transformative change of heart; especially a spiritual conversion.
- A fundamental shift in one's perception or thinking process.
Literal older meaning
change of mind
Language path
Ancient Greek → Koine Greek → English
Earliest form
μετάνοια (metánoia)
Earliest period
1st century AD
Journey
In the New Testament, the term implies more than just remorse; it represents a radical turning away from a previous life toward a new reality. In modern psychological discourse, particularly in systems thinking, it is used to describe the profound shift in perspective required for true individual or organizational learning.
Evolution
- 5th century BC
μετά (meta) + νόος (noos)
“change of purpose or mind”
- 1st century AD
μετάνοια
“repentance or conversion”
Used frequently in the Greek New Testament.
- 16th century
metanoia
“repentance”
Borrowed into English via ecclesiastical Latin usage.
- 20th century
metanoia
“fundamental cognitive shift”
Revived in psychological and organizational theory contexts.
Connections
Word parts
meta-
prefix
change, after, beyond
-noia
suffix
mind, perception
Related across languages
Latin
paenitentia
repentance (common translation of metanoia)
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Related to metanoia
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.