Authorism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An ideology that emphasizes the authority of an individual to create or determine artistic and literary works
2. A belief that underscores the influence of single creators in shaping narratives and cultural discourse
3. A perspective that prioritizes the role of authorship in establishing meaning and ownership in creative expressions

Etymology: "Authorism" is about as plain as English word-building gets: it joins "author" to the suffix "-ism", which turns a person or role into a doctrine, system, or school of thought. The pattern is old and productive. "Socialism," "realism," and "feminism" all follow it, each naming a set of beliefs built around a central idea. Here the central idea is the author, so the term names a critical stance that treats the writer's identity, intention, and claim to a work as the key to what it means and who controls it. The suffix itself came into English through French "-isme" from Latin "-ismus", which in turn came from Greek "-ismos", a noun-forming ending meaning an action, practice, or doctrine. The base word "author" passed into English through Old French "auctour" from Latin "auctor", meaning originator, founder, or creator. So the word folds together a Latin idea of the originator with a Greek-derived habit of naming belief systems.

Synonyms: authorship, authority, dominion, control, command

Antonyms: anarchy, chaos, disorder, powerlessness, subordination