Techne

In Ancient Greek philosophy, techne (; , ) is a philosophical concept that refers to making or doing. Today, while the Ancient Greek definition of techne is similar to the modern definition and use of "practical knowledge", techne can include various fields such as mathematics, geometry, medicine, shoemaking, rhetoric, philosophy, music, and astronomy.

One of the definitions of techne led by Aristotle, for example, is "a state involving true reason concerned with production".

History of the term

Many Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, had difficulty coming up with a single definition for techne and there is differentiation between the ways that these philosophers used the term.

The word techne comes from the Greek word for art, skill, craft, and technique. The modern-day English word technology comes from the prefix techne and the suffix ology; both words are of Greek origin combined to mean "the practical application of knowledge". Techne in Ancient Greece was thought of as dangerous in its virtues by many philosophers, including Plato. Arts such as paintings and sculptures were particularly thought to be unvirtuous because of their "third-hand [representation] of "true" reality and absolute beauty".

Plato

alt=Plaster cast of Ancient Greek physician and patient from Wellcome Historical Medical Museum|thumb|Plaster cast of Ancient Greek physician and patient from Wellcome Historical Medical Museum

The Ancient Greek Philosopher Plato often used episteme and techne interchangeably, much like Socrates. Plato's works define techne as activities such as medicine, geometry, politics, music, shipbuilding, carpentry, and generalship. Plato introduced the idea of techne as a way to explain aspects of life such as virtue. In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle wrote that techne not only meant craft but also production (for example: the production of a ship).

History of the term

Plato

Notes

References

Further reading