Organon

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A systematic treatise or collection of principles that serves as an instrument or tool for acquiring knowledge or conducting logical inquiry
2. An authoritative framework or body of methods used as a means for developing understanding and conducting systematic reasoning
3. A comprehensive set of logical principles and procedures functioning as an instrument for the pursuit and organization of knowledge

Etymology: In Ancient Greek, "organon" meant a tool or instrument, something used to accomplish a task. Its meaning later moved from physical implements toward the mind, so a system of logical rules became a kind of instrument for reasoning. "Organon" is a doublet of "organ," "organum," and "orgue." These are the same Greek ancestor reaching English and related languages by different routes. "Organ" and "orgue" came to name the musical instrument, while "organum" kept its Latin sense of an early form of part-singing. The siblings diverged widely in meaning, yet they share one ancient source: a tool that could be a machine, a body part, a musical pipe, or a method of thought.