Jonah Patel
Conviction is a word with a variety of meanings and uses. It can refer to the act of finding someone guilty of a crime, a strong belief or persuasion, or the state of being convinced. In the legal context, a conviction can lead to sentencing, imprisonment, or other punishments. Outside of the courtroom, conviction conveys a sense of unwavering certainty, such as a deep-rooted belief or a resolute stance. Whether in the form of a legal judgment or a personal principle, conviction carries weight and implies a level of assurance that influences decisions, behaviours, and outcomes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| As a noun | A strong belief or persuasion |
| As a noun | A finding of guilt in a court of law |
| As an adjective | Strong belief or certainty about something |
| As an adjective | Deeply felt or expressed |
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What You'll Learn
- 'Conviction' can refer to the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime
- It can be used to describe a strong persuasion or belief
- It can be used to describe someone's enthusiasm for a cause
- It can refer to a person's religious or moral beliefs
- It can be used to describe someone's certainty about something
'Conviction' can refer to the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime
Conviction typically refers to the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime, especially in a court of law. It is a formal declaration by a court of law that a defendant is guilty of a criminal offence. The opposite of a conviction is an acquittal, or a verdict of "not guilty".
A conviction may follow a guilty plea that is accepted by the court, a jury trial resulting in a guilty verdict, or a trial by judge in which the defendant is found guilty. In some cases, despite a defendant being found guilty, the court may decide not to convict the person. This is known as a discharge and is practised in countries such as England, Wales, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The term 'conviction' is also used to refer to a person's history of being found guilty of crimes, also known as their 'antecedents' or 'previous' in the UK, and 'priors' in the US and Australia. For example, "He has three prior drunk-driving convictions."
Conviction can also refer to a strong persuasion or belief, or the state of being convinced. For example, "Shaftesbury's religious creed was held with a conviction amounting to enthusiasm."
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It can be used to describe a strong persuasion or belief
The word "conviction" is a powerful term that conveys a sense of unwavering belief and resolute certainty. It can be used to describe a strong persuasion or belief, as in the following examples:
"Sophie Scholl had such strength of conviction that she was willing to risk her life to resist the Nazis." Here, the word "conviction" illustrates Scholl's deep and unwavering commitment to her beliefs, so much so that she was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
"I have a strong conviction that my paintings will sell one day, despite being rejected by every art gallery in San Francisco." In this example, the speaker expresses an enduring belief in their artistic success, even in the face of initial setbacks and rejections.
"It was his conviction that the words in the story were blurred due to the author's insensitivity, rendering the story handicapped." Here, the use of "conviction" conveys a strong interpretation of the story's shortcomings, suggesting a firm belief in the author's insensitivity as the root cause.
"You'll never make it as an actor if you don't have conviction in your talents." This sentence emphasizes the importance of self-belief and conviction in pursuing a career in acting. Without it, the chances of success are perceived as slim.
"He expressed the conviction that atomic weights within narrow limits are variable and modified by physical conditions." In a scientific context, "conviction" conveys a strong assertion or proclamation of a theory. The speaker expresses a firm belief in the variability of atomic weights influenced by external factors.
By understanding the word "conviction" as a descriptor of strong persuasion or belief, these examples showcase its effective use in various contexts, highlighting the resolute and unwavering nature of certain viewpoints, beliefs, and interpretations.
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It can be used to describe someone's enthusiasm for a cause
The word "conviction" is a powerful term that can be used to describe someone's enthusiasm for a cause. It implies a strong belief or persuasion, and when used in this context, it conveys a sense of passionate dedication to a particular idea, value, or movement.
For example, consider the sentence, "Sophie Scholl had such strength of conviction that she was willing to risk her life to fight the spread of the Nazis." Here, the word "conviction" showcases Sophie's unwavering commitment and enthusiasm for her cause, demonstrating her willingness to make sacrifices in the face of adversity.
Similarly, the sentence, "His conviction that he is destined for a gold medal keeps him training for ten hours a day," illustrates how conviction can fuel someone's enthusiasm for a personal cause or goal. In this case, the individual's strong belief in their destiny drives their dedication to their training regimen.
In the context of social or political causes, conviction can be a driving force behind someone's activism or advocacy. For instance, "He has the strong conviction that the policy is misguided, and he is determined to see it changed," demonstrates how conviction can lead to action. The individual's enthusiasm for their cause motivates them to work towards a desired outcome.
Conviction can also be applied to religious or spiritual beliefs, as seen in the sentence, "Shaftesbury's religious creed was few and simple, but he entertained them with a conviction amounting to enthusiasm." Here, Shaftesbury's strong beliefs are described with enthusiasm, highlighting the passionate nature of his faith.
Ultimately, when used to describe someone's enthusiasm for a cause, "conviction" conveys a sense of unwavering dedication, passionate belief, and the willingness to take action or make sacrifices in the name of something greater than oneself.
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It can refer to a person's religious or moral beliefs
A person's constitution of conviction can refer to their religious or moral beliefs. Religious beliefs are defined as attitudes towards a religion's central articles of faith. For example, the belief that Jesus is the son of God is a central tenet of Christianity. While all religions have prescribed beliefs, individuals who identify with a particular religion may not adopt all of those beliefs.
It is important to note that the definition of a "religious belief" is complex and multifaceted. Some believe that religious beliefs require a belief in God or a supreme being, but this excludes polytheistic religions and atheistic religions such as Brahmin Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism. Others define religious beliefs as those that induce worship or worship-related activities, but this does not include religions such as Brahmin Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, and the religious beliefs of some ancient Greeks, who did not feel obligated to worship gods who were apathetic towards humans.
A more inclusive definition of religious beliefs is attitudes towards a religion's central articles of faith. This definition allows for a wide range of beliefs and interpretations, recognizing that not all individuals who identify with a particular religion will adopt all of its prescribed beliefs.
Moral beliefs, on the other hand, are deeply held beliefs about what is right and wrong, often influenced by previous theological or philosophical convictions. For example, human rights are moral beliefs founded in previous theological beliefs. Moral beliefs can also be more contested, with individuals holding differing opinions on what is morally acceptable.
In the context of a person's constitution of conviction, religious and moral beliefs form a strong foundation of principles that guide an individual's actions and decisions. These beliefs are deeply personal and can vary widely across individuals, even within the same religion or moral framework.
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It can be used to describe someone's certainty about something
Conviction can be used to describe someone's certainty about something. For example, "Sophie Scholl had such strength of conviction that she was willing to sacrifice her life to fight the spread of the Nazis". Here, conviction refers to Sophie Scholl's strong belief in her cause, which gave her the courage to take great risks.
Another example is, "It was his conviction that if the words in the story were blurred because of the author's insensitivity, carelessness, or sentimentality, then the story suffered from a tremendous handicap". In this sentence, conviction conveys the subject's firm persuasion or belief that a story's quality is diminished by insensitive, careless, or sentimental language.
Conviction can also be used to describe someone's certainty about their abilities or future success: "His conviction that he is destined for a gold medal keeps him training for ten hours a day". Here, conviction reflects the subject's strong belief in their ability to achieve a specific goal.
Furthermore, conviction can be used to describe someone's moral or religious beliefs: "My religious convictions prevent me from voting for that candidate, even though I think she’s smarter than her opponent". In this context, conviction refers to the subject's strongly held principles or values that guide their decisions and actions.
Overall, conviction is a powerful word that conveys a sense of certainty, belief, and persuasion. It can be used to describe someone's strong and unwavering stance on a particular matter, whether it be a personal goal, a moral principle, or a political belief.
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Frequently asked questions
Conviction can mean the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime, or it can mean a strongly held belief or persuasion.
You could say: "I have a strong conviction that my paintings will sell one day, despite being rejected from every art gallery in San Francisco."
You could say: "He tried for a conviction for murder, but the defendant was found not guilty."
