mokslai

Mokslai is the Lithuanian term for sciences and more broadly for organized fields of study. The term encompasses all systematic endeavor to gain knowledge through observation, experimentation, and reasoning, including research and teaching. In everyday usage, mokslai also refers to the studies pursued by students at universities and other higher education institutions.

The word mokslai derives from the Lithuanian mokslas, meaning knowledge gained by study. The plural form highlights the range of disciplines and areas of inquiry that together constitute the sciences.

Structure and scope: The sciences are organized into broad categories and subdisciplines, with interdisciplinary fields bridging them. Natural sciences include Biologija, Chemija, and Fizika; formal sciences include Matematika and Informatika; social sciences include Sociologija, Psichologija, Ekonomika, and Politologija; applied sciences include Medicina, Inžinerija, and Žemės ūkis. The array of disciplines reflects both traditional areas and modern, technology-driven fields.

History and institutions: In Lithuania, the development of mokslai has been shaped by the country’s educational and research institutions, including historic universities and contemporary research centers. Today, Lithuanian science spans natural, formal, social, and applied domains, contributing to national innovation and international collaboration.

Method and assessment: Scientific work relies on the scientific method, empirical validation, peer review, and dissemination through publications, conferences, and teaching. These processes support knowledge validation, reproducibility, and the advancement of society.