[lit-ideas] Greek Wisdom on Paedeutika
- From: Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:15:36 EST
We are discussing with A. Palma the role of logic in the curriculum. We seem
to agree that it cannot be a propaedeutic. This idea is German. OED quotes
below.
I agree that to have a metapaedeutics (after + paedeutics) looks otiose. If
you think of the etymology, propaedeutics, is like another Stupid German Word:
kindergarten (preschool)
Cheers,
JL
propaedeutic. German Propädeutik subject or course of study which forms an
introduction to or preparation for an art or science, or to more advanced
study (1787 in Kant; freq. in German academic textbooks from the end of the
18th
cent.) < ancient Greek - PRO- prefix2 + Hellenistic Greek , adjective (see
PAEDEUTICS n.), after ancient Greek to teach beforehand. With the use as
adjective cf. German propädeutisch (1802 or earlier).]
A. n. A subject or course of study which forms an introduction to or
preparation for an art or science, or to more advanced study.
1798 A. F. M. WILLICH Elem. Crit. Philos. 19 In the mean time Kant's
system, or rather his elementary Propedeutic for a system, acquired still
greater
reputation. [Corrigendum in Contents: for Propedeutic, read Propaedeutic].
1836 W. HAMILTON Discuss. (1852) 285 If Mathematics..do constitute the true
logical catharticon, the one practical propaedeutic of all reasoning. 1855 J.
M. D. MEIKLEJOHN tr. Kant Crit. Pure Reason Pref. p. xxv, Logic is properly
only a propædeutic [Ger. Propädeutikforms, as it were, the vestibule of the
sciences. 1905 Athenæum Feb. 170 Psychology pushes its claim to be the
propaedeutic of metaphysics, with dire results to intellectualism. 1936 J. M.
KEYNES Gen. Theory Employment V. xxi. 293 We can pass from this simplified
propaedeutic to the problems of the real world. 1972 M. KLINE Math. Thought
v.
129 Like Plato he [sc. Proclus] believed that mathematics is a handmaiden to
philosophy. It is a propaedeutic because it clears the eye of the soul,
removing the impediments that the senses place in the way of knowing
universals.
2003 Change (Nexis) 1 Sept. 18, I take thinking not to be a source of any
moral code or set of ethical principles but a propaedeutic, a preparation for
discernment and indeterminate judgment.
B. adj. Relating to or of the nature of preliminary instruction;
supplying the knowledge or discipline introductory or preliminary to the study
of an
art or science; preliminarily educational; introductory.
1849 J. D. MORELL Philos. Relig. 139 Judaism was Propædeutic to
Christianity. 1868 M. PATTISON Suggestions Acad. Organisation v. 262 The
university
course is almost wholly special; the liberal and propædeutic studies are
relegated to the grammar-school. 1889 J. C. PILLING Bibliogr. Muskhogean
Langs. 39
Albert Samuel Gatschet was born in St. Beatenberg, in the Bernese... His
propedeutic education was acquired in the lyceums of Neuchatel..and of Berne.
1947 K. REXROTH in D. H. Lawrence Sel. Poems Introd. 10 It is like the
propaedeutic symbolism of the dream. 1970 Nature 23 May 775/2 This book is
not for
the impatient reader after hard, clear facts; nor is it a propaedeutic book
easily accessible for the interested beginner. 1997 Times Lit. Suppl. 3 Jan.
9/1 The job of philosophy is essentially propaedeutic, anticipating the needs
of the real knowledge-gatherers.
DERIVATIVES
<NOBR>deutical adj. = sense B.
1867 J. H. STIRLING tr. F. C. A. Schwegler Handbk. Hist. Philos. xxxv. 205
Logic precedes both as *propædeutical [Ger. Propädeutik] of the study of
philosophy in general. 1893 Nation (N.Y.) 6 Apr. 257/3 The propaedeutical
narration of various well-chosen anecdotes. 1997 Australian (Nexis) 24 July 9
Studies have shown Esperanto has such propaedeutical value for European
languages.
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