systematics

Noun

1. The study of classification systems and nomenclature.
   • Systematics is intended to be the study of "qualitative" and structural aspects of all things in the universe; and if feasible, is designed to absorb eventually the "quantitative approach" of mathematics toward human...
   • Trees are the central objects of systematic analysis. Taxa are ordered, characters explained, and hypotheses tested on trees. Since systematics informs and draws on other areas of science, there is a diversity of...
2. The classification system of a branch of science, especially the classification of organisms in biology.
3. A branch of Christian theology that formulates an orderly, rational, and coherent account of Christian beliefs. It comprises dogmatics, ethics and philosophy of religion.
   • Systematics is an effort to understand those specifically theological affirmations that the theologian holds to be true and so regards as doctrines. - 1990, Robert M. Doran, Theology and the Dialectics of History,...
   • The seventh functional specialty, systematics, is concerned with promoting an understanding of the realitites affirmed in the previous specialty, doctrines. - 1990, Bernard J. F. Lonergan, Method in Theology - Volume...
   • Not exegesis itself, then, but biblical theology, provides the material for systematics .... Bliblical theology is not, then, a rival of systematics; it is not even a parallel product of the same body of facts, provided...
4. The place where legal provisions stand as relevant for their interpretation.
   • Different kinds of systematic interpretation of statutes affect each other. Construction of a statutory provision depends at the same time on interpretation of other provisions, systematics of the statute, conceptual...