Heretics

Chesterton describes his understanding of the words "Orthodox" and "Heretic" as they apply to, and have changed in, the modern period. Chesterton argues that in modernity, "The word 'orthodoxy' not only no longer means being right; it practically means being wrong." He continues to write that society no longer tolerates a man's life philosophy or religion, yet is increasingly absorbed in "art for art's sake." Chesterton identifies this trend to replace ideological substance with vagueness and criticizes popular writers, public figures, politicians, and the like for proclaiming a gospel of silence when moral and philosophical direction is needed.