Canon
SYSTEM 14 SACRED TEXT
DOMAIN THE LANGUAGE
DEFINITION:
A recognized collection of texts, works, teachings, records, principles, or materials that are accepted as authoritative, legitimate, foundational, or officially recognized within a tradition, institution, discipline, or community.
FUNCTION:
Establishes boundaries of authority by defining which texts, ideas, narratives, teachings, or records are considered valid sources of reference, interpretation, and transmission.
EXAMPLES:
- Religious canons
- Literary canons
- Academic canons
- Historical canons
- Legal canons
- Cultural canons
- Official collections of works
RELATED SYMBOLS:
Constitution
Scripture
Law Book
Textbook
Research Paper
Manual
Contract
Doctrine
Official History
Collective Memory
RELATED SYSTEMS:
NOTES:
Canons define what is included and excluded within a recognized body of knowledge or authority. They often emerge through institutional recognition, tradition, collective agreement, cultural influence, or historical development.
CONTROL TEXT OBSERVATION:
Authority is often established through selection. A canon functions as a filtering mechanism that determines which texts, narratives, teachings, and records are preserved, referenced, transmitted, and regarded as foundational within a system of meaning.