Fundamental science

As a basic, fundamental or basic science those sciences are called, which form the knowledge moderate or philosophical presuppositions for a field of study.

Today, the opinions about which of the topics and areas of expertise to the basics of study or adequate training are far apart. Four reasons contribute to this:

Basic knowledge in antiquity and the Middle Ages

In ancient times, the scope of the basic sciences was, inter alia, influenced by the Platonic Academy, where the logic, rhetoric and mathematics had a great importance. Above the entrance to the "Academy - grove " stand " μηδεῖς εἴσιτοω ἀγεομὲτρικος ": " No geometry uninformed person is to enter here! ' The curriculum included the science of astronomy, biology and mathematics, and philosophy ( rather in the general sense) and political theory. This suggests that Plato presupposed in addition to the logic of the argument and the geometry / mathematics and the arts, to motivate yourself, and basic knowledge of philosophy.

Plato and Aristotle versus sophistry

Plato argued against the view of the Sophists, who saw philosophy as an available knowledge as a commodity that can be passed on to students - including our time tends by increasing rates and regulation of curricula. For Plato, philosophy was a lifelong self- commitment to knowledge, but by no means in order to qualify for the job market. Even Socrates for researching, testing and refuting was a prerequisite and einzuübende living in the conversation.

Under Plato and Aristotle was of any seeker of wisdom (ie philosopher) expected to

Middle Ages: Trivium and Quadrivium

" Philosophy is a loving dealing with the truth. " ( Dante Alighieri )

The visiting several universities for its completion was also recommended - - In the mainly Christian Middle Ages were before academic study with preliminary studies of the trivium and quadrivium of the set. As Aristotle and the ancient wisdom schools saw no way to philosophy (knowledge joy, love for knowledge ) without the conditions of " 7 liberal arts " ( liberal arts, also called " dialogical subjects" ):

• Grammar ( = Latin )
• Dialectic ( logic = )
• Rhetoric ( = speech and letter penmanship ). In addition:
• Arithmetic ( = the sizes as such)
• Geometry ( the immovable sizes),
• Astronomy ( partly astrology) and
• Music ( theory ) as an expression of the cosmic harmony.

The first three - the trivium - were regarded as basic studies, while the last four for further studies ( quadrivium ) included.

Studies and academic curriculum

For a study of the liberal arts education (if any) usually was not enough. Were required, inter alia, in-depth knowledge of the Latin language and literature, who were able to acquire many in the cathedral schools. A few years with Bible study, basic grammar and reading of works of ancient and late antique pagan and Christian authors (eg Eugippius, Thomas Aquinas ) found the average grade of instruction dar.

This builds on it Trivium ( three way ) was formulated by Isidore of Seville ( 7th century ). As a " word of knowledge " it was in the Middle Ages, the basic studies at the Faculty of Arts and graduated mostly from the baccalaureate.

The system of the quadrivium ( the four way ) goes back to Boethius († 525 ) and Cassiodorus ( Institutiones to 560). With a Master of Arts about this " number knowledge" of graduate teaching was entitled to the Faculty of Arts - which now has a distant relationship to the tutor or teaching assistants.

About 30 % of all enrolled students left the University as Bachelors, barely 20 percent a master's degree. The remaining half was, as it had come: as simple Scholares without a degree - ie the present study discontinuations comparable. Of the Magisters remained a small percentage of the universities, as an assistant and later lecturers.

Transition to modern times

Towards the end of the 13th century developed some representatives of " Aristotelianism " - inter alia Siger of Brabant and Boethius of Dacia - a new ethic or a philosophical ideal of life, for example in the writings of De summo bono ( "On the highest good " ) or De vita philosophical. Then there is the highest good of man ( happiness ) in applying the highest human capacity, of reason. A distinction is made between

• Theoretical reason (recognition of truth )
• Practical reason ( acting according to what has been detected). It can be
• The spiritual self-development can be derived ( intellectual Consider as the highest goal, happiness and good of man ). This Übergangsphyse the modern era is already taking some aspects of the Enlightenment and of the educated middle class in advance.

Basic knowledge today

As initially noted today are the opinions that belongs to the basic knowledge or should include shared. A rather trivial considers all those skills and that knowledge to count to which is required for successful completion of university studies. Commonly, these are - in addition to the necessary intelligence and social maturity - at least

• A certain general education and criticism,
• The ability to express themselves linguistically appropriate
• Own motivation and related learning technique.
• Should be given to what extent cultural and philosophical conditions, is already controversial since the addition of the Humboldtian ideal of education to the aspects of direct vocational training.

This shows, for example, in the discussion about professional Latin at the middle schools, as well as the humanities and medical faculties for professional Greek. Historical knowledge and a basic level of rhetoric (see also presentation skills ) and dialectics are desirable but are at baseline usually not seen as a condition. With the unmistakable trend fundamental ⇒ Applied Research has also the discussion of the so-called " exotic subjects " and their structural weakening to do.

The Technical University has in terms of basic knowledge a seemingly easier access: required logical thinking, basic knowledge of mathematics and physics, as well (instead of the former Latin) English. De facto can also knowledge of computer is required. Interestingly, however, many students are likely to recognize their humanities deficits, such as the popularity of appropriate electives shows. In this regard, the expansion of the former Institutes of Technology has taken to universities - that is, their structural complement to the " Anthropology" (philosophy, sociology, culture of dialogue, etc.) and the economy.

Sources and links

• Academic Advising: various brochures and websites, including Univ. Stuttgart, Univ. and TU Wien, BOKU, General Studies, fair career information, and Geodätentag GeoLIS, education server, FAZ
• Rolf Köhn, education and Trivium in the Latin Middle Ages and their possible practical use ( ed. Joh.Fried, schools and studies in social change [ ..], p.221 -231 ), Sigmaringen 1986
• Philosophy ... what's this? In 2500 years from ignorance to knowledge explosion void
• Humboldt University Berlin: Books, students, master's and doctors at the University of the Middle Ages
• Trivium and secondary literature
• University of Cologne, philosopher. Seminar ( Jan A. Aertsen ): Four Concepts of Modern
• Science and technology history of the industrial age ( techné, Leonardo, Industrial Revolution ) (PDF file; 896 kB)