Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 57

Chai-. Ill]

§ 19.

METHODOLOGY AND HODEGETICS

33

Methodology and Hodegetics

§ 19.

The conception

of

Encyclopedia

is

allied

those

to

of

Methodology and Hodegetics, which, though often taken for each other, are sharplj^ distinguishable. out the

way

letter-carrier,

Hodegetics points

him to whom the way is unknown. The who knows every inch of his way, takes no

to

notice in his daily rounds of the sign-post at the cross-road.

And the

the task of Hodegetics extends no further than showing

way

in any department to

devote himself.

It acquaints

whose study a man begins to him Avith the general features

him of the helps he is in need of in make advances, and points out to him the direction which to go. Thus there belongs to it a short resume of

of the domain, tells

order to in

the primitive data of every department; a reference to Avhat

composes

its

statement of

chief literature; a brief review of its

requirements;

course of stud}^ to be theory of study to

pursued.

him who

is

its

history; a

and an indication

of

the

Hodegetics teaches the not yet capable of study

liimself.

Methodology, on the other hand,

is something very differHodegetics serves the practical purpose of showing the inexperienced traveller the way that has already been

ent.

If

discovered and cleared, Methodology, on the other hand,

is

the theoretical science which gives an account of the reason

why

this

way was made thus and not

otherwise, and decides

to change the way This distinction is not ahvays kept in sight, but it is real. Hodegetics assumes that the way is there, that it has been used, and points it out. Methodology, on the other hand, is the science which decides how the way

the question whether there

is

any reason

or its direction.

is

to be laid,

been

laid.

and approves

or disapproves of the

By "way" two

way

that has

things can here be understood.

Either the wa}^ along which runs our thinking in this way along which our thoughts must

formal sense, or the

run in order to arrive at truth. In the first-mentioned sense Methodology forms a subdivision of Logic, In the last-mentioned sense it is an independent science which

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