Stammkritik

Stammkritik is a textual criticism method used primarily in biblical studies and classical philology. It is a systematic approach to identifying and analyzing the earliest attainable textual form of a written work, particularly when multiple manuscript traditions exist. The goal is to reconstruct the original text, or a version very close to it, by examining the variations found in surviving copies.

The process involves several key steps. Scholars compare numerous manuscripts of the text, noting discrepancies between them. These variations, known as variants, are then categorized. Stammkritik seeks to understand the genealogical relationships between manuscripts, hypothesizing a "family tree" or "stammbaum" of textual transmission. Manuscripts are grouped into families based on shared errors or readings. The oldest and most reliable manuscript families are then prioritized.

The ultimate aim is to identify the "archetype," the hypothetical original manuscript from which all subsequent copies descended. By tracing back through the identified families and evaluating the variants based on internal consistency, external evidence (such as quotations by ancient authors), and the likelihood of scribal error, scholars attempt to determine the most probable original reading. This method is crucial for establishing a reliable text upon which further interpretation and study can be based.