Perusperiaatetiedon

Perusperiaatetiedon is a concept used in Finnish educational discourse to denote knowledge of the fundamental principles that underlie a field or discipline. It comprises core ideas, axioms, and methodological assumptions that justify why methods work and how key concepts relate to one another. The term blends perusperiaate (fundamental principle) with tieto (knowledge) and is typically distinguished from memorized facts or routine procedures that do not reveal underlying justification.

In practice, perusperiaatetiedon guides learning and assessment by promoting principled understanding rather than surface-level recall. It helps learners explain why a method is applicable, recognize connections across topics, and transfer understanding to new problems.

Applications span disciplines. In science, it includes fundamental laws and the scientific method; in mathematics, axioms and definitions; in humanities, central theories or frameworks that structure interpretation.

Curriculum design and pedagogy aim to cultivate perusperiaatetiedon through explicit instruction about principles, guided problem solving, and reflective discussion. Critics warn that overemphasis on abstraction may obscure practical skills or cultural context.

See also: foundational knowledge; transfer of learning; educational theory.