The term canon derives from the Greek (), meaning "rule", and thence via
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
and
Old French
Old French (, , ; ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France approximately between the late 8th particularly ecclesiastical; or group of official, authentic, or approved literary or artistic works, such as the literature of a particular author, of a particular genre, or a particular group of religious scriptural texts; or similarly, one or a body of rules, principles, or standards accepted as axiomatic and universally binding in a religion, or a field of study or art.
Examples
This principle of grouping has led to more specific uses of the word in different contexts, such as the Biblical canon (which a particular religious community regards as authoritative) and thence to literary canons (of a particular "body of literature in a particular language, or from a particular culture, period, genre").
W.C Sayers (1915–1916) established a system of canons of library classification.
S. R. Ranganathan developed a theory of facet analysis, which he presented as a detailed series of 46 canons, 13 postulates and 22 principles.
There is also the concept of the canons of rhetoric, including five key principles that, when grouped together, are the principles set for giving speeches.
See also
*
**
**
* Axiom: a statement that is taken to be true, to serve as a starting point for further reasoning and arguments.
*
*
*
* , chosen by Marcel Reich-Ranicki
* Norm (philosophy): concepts (sentences) of practical import, oriented to effecting an action
* Principle: rule that has to be followed or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature
* Rule of inference: in logic, a logical form consisting of a function which takes premises, analyzes their syntax, and returns a conclusion (or conclusions)
* Rhetoric: the art of persuasion. The five canons of rhetoric or phases of developing a persuasive speech were first codified in classical Rome: invention, arrangement, style,
memory
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action. If past events could not be remembe ...
Western canon
The Western canon is the embodiment of High culture, high-culture literature, music, philosophy, and works of art that are highly cherished across the Western culture, Western world, such works having achieved the status of classics.
Recent ...
: the body of literature, music, philosophy, and works of art that is highly valued in Western culture