systematics

noun

1. (uncountable)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 and physical worlds as well. It is hoped that systematics will be able to develop a quantitative field and thus to enable it to incorporate mathematics into its realm of studies some time in the future.”

   “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 terminology for trees and their components.”

2. (uncountable)The classification system of a branch of science, especially the classification of organisms in biology.
3. (uncountable)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.”

   “The seventh functional specialty, systematics, is concerned with promoting an understanding of the realitites affirmed in the previous specialty, doctrines.”

   “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 by exegesis; it is the basis and source of systematics.”

4. (uncountable)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 analysis and theories formulated in legal dogmatics.”