science

definition of propaedeutics

To understand the meaning of the term, one must resort to its etymology. This word comes from the Greek, specifically from the word propaideutikós. If we analyze its composition we have the following result: the prefix pro expresses the idea of ​​"before" and paideutikós refers to the idea of ​​teaching something. Consequently, the prophetics refers to the learning prior to the knowledge of a subject.

In other words, it is the initial stage in a learning process. Thus, in a geological study to build a building there is a propaedeutic (the study of the properties of the soil), in a criminal trial a preliminary study is carried out on the mental conditions of the accused and in medicine an evaluation of the patient is carried out.

In the field of medicine

Clinical propaedeutics is the discipline that focuses on preparations for the study of internal or clinical medicine. In other words, it deals with knowing the process of a disease. In this way, the symptoms and signs of an ailment are studied from the examination of an individual. Thus, the doctor becomes familiar with the physical symptoms that a patient presents (for example, a headache). On the other hand, the doctor studies the objective manifestations of each symptom, that is, the reliable signs that appear. When the symptoms and signs of a disease are already known, it is possible to determine the specific syndrome that a patient presents.

What is a preparatory course?

Knowledge of certain subjects requires prior introductory preparation. When this type of training is carried out, it is called a preparatory course. In this type of course, general topics such as professional orientation, vocational aspects, available resources, learning techniques and, in general, the fundamentals of a discipline are addressed.

In this sense, some universities organize this type of course with the intention that students become familiar with the content of the subjects that they will later study. Propedeutics courses are very common in the entrance exams of certain university studies. In some cases, these courses are carried out to standardize the knowledge of the students and in this way it is achieved that all of them have similar knowledge.

Propedeutics in a philosophical sense

The philosopher Plato considered that in order to carry out a philosophical analysis it was necessary for the student to previously know the fundamentals of mathematics. Thus, certain knowledge about arithmetic or geometry was considered by Plato as the first step to later delve into the specific concepts of philosophy.

In this way, for Plato mathematics is a preparatory knowledge. Similarly, logic would be a propaedeutic for the computer language of programming.

Photos: Fotolia - Kakigori / AnnaPa

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