Agmatology, which is pronounced /æɡməˈtɑlədʒi/ (ag-muh-tol-uh-jee), is a term used to describe the study of human ignorance or unknowability. The word is composed of three morphemes: "agma," which comes from the Greek word "agman," meaning "ignorance;" "to," which means "study of;" and "logy," which means "knowledge" or "study of." Therefore, Agmatology literally means "the study of ignorance." Although rarely used in everyday conversations, it remains a significant term in philosophy, psychology, and intellectual discourses.
Agmatology refers to the study or theory of the production and use of tools by living beings, particularly animals. Derived from the Greek words "agma," meaning tool, and "logia," meaning study, agmatology explores the behavior, processes, and evolutionary significance of tool use. It delves into the cognitive abilities, motor skills, and ecological contexts that influence the creation and utilization of tools by animals.
In agmatology, researchers investigate the various ways in which animals manipulate objects and their environment to achieve goals, such as obtaining food or creating shelter. This field aims to understand the underlying mechanisms behind tool use, including the factors that drive its development and the potential benefits it provides to different species.
By examining the similarities and differences in tool use among different animal species, agmatologists seek to unravel the evolutionary origins, adaptive functions, and neural mechanisms associated with this behavior. This interdisciplinary field draws from diverse scientific disciplines, including biology, cognitive science, ethology, primatology, and anthropology.
Agmatology encompasses a range of methodologies, including observational studies in natural settings, experimental studies involving captive animals, and comparative analyses across species. The findings from agmatological research not only shed light on the remarkable diversity of tool use in the animal kingdom but also have implications for understanding human technological advancement and the evolution of intelligence.
The branch of surgery concerned especially with fractures.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "agmatology" is a combination of the Greek word "agma" meaning "action, feat, or accomplishment" and the suffix "-logy" which means "study" or "science". Therefore, "agmatology" can be understood as the study or science of actions, feats, or accomplishments.