prolegomenon

Prolegomenon, or prolegomena in plural form, is a formal introductory discourse that precedes a larger work. It is intended to frame the questions, justify the methods, and outline the foundational assumptions and aims of the ensuing analysis. In philosophy and the humanities, a prolegomenon often addresses the scope of inquiry, defends an approach, and anticipates potential objections, rather than merely summarizing the content to follow.

Etymology and usage: The term comes from Greek, literally meaning "a thing said beforehand," from pro- meaning before and legomenon meaning "that which is said." A prolegomenon signals an advance consideration of how the work should be read, and why its project matters.

Distinction from related forms: A prolegomenon differs from a preface, which is typically more personal or anecdotal, and from a standard introduction, which may simply outline chapters and topics. A prolegomenon is more foundational and methodologically oriented, often engaging with underlying assumptions, criteria for evaluation, and the overall architecture of the inquiry.

Notable example: The best-known prolegomenon is Immanuel Kant’s Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics (1783), which examines the possibility and limits of metaphysics and seeks to justify the procedures of his critical philosophy as a groundwork for subsequent works. In other fields, the term may be used to describe a rigorous preliminary essay that sets the stage for a larger scholarly project, though it is relatively uncommon in contemporary prose.

See also: Preface, Introduction, Methodology, Epistemology.