Propaedeutics

Article summary

Propaedeutics or propedeutics (from Ancient Greek , propaídeusis 'preparatory education') is a historical term for an introductory course into an art or science. The word propedeutics comes from the Greek prefix pro 'earlier, rudimentary, in front of' and Greek paideutikós 'pertaining to teaching'. As implied by the etymology, propaedeutics may be defined more particularly as the knowledge necessary before, or for the learning of, a discipline, but not which is sufficient for proficiency. In medicine, the terms "propedeutics"/"propedeutic" specifically refers to the preliminary collection of data about a patient by observation, palpation, temperature measurement, etc., without specialized diagnostic procedures. The 1851 Encyclopaedia Americana writes that it is: ...a term used by the Germans to indicate the knowledge which is necessary or useful for understanding or practising an art or science, or which unfolds its nature and extent, and the method of learning it. It is applied, therefore, not only to special introductions to particular branches of study, but also to auxiliary sciences, logic, philology, etc., and the encyclopaedic views of particular branches of science which facilitate an insight into the relations of the parts. Such a survey can be presented only by one who has studied a science in all its ramifications.…

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