Which of the following is the definition of 'doctrine'?

• A. A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign or military affairs
• B. A belief or set of beliefs that are taught and accepted by a religious, political, scientific, or other group; dogma
• C. A legal doctrine
• D. A method of teaching something

Answer: (B)

Doctrine is a belief or set of beliefs that a group teaches and accepts; it’s the system of principles that guide how members think and act. You’ll see it in religious, political, or scientific contexts where these beliefs form a coherent framework—often carrying a sense of authority, sometimes described as dogma when embraced as unquestioned truth. It’s not merely a statement of government policy, nor a method of teaching. A legal doctrine exists as a specialized legal term, separate from the general idea of a broad belief system. So the best choice captures doctrine as this shared set of beliefs.