Enclyclopedia

An Encyclopedia (also spelled encyclopaedia) is a comprehensive reference work that provides organized and authoritative information on a wide range of subjects or on a particular subject. Encyclopedias are essential tools for researchers, students, and the general public, aiming to encapsulate knowledge in an accessible format.

Book of Knowledge 1919 Edition. 20 volumes

History[edit | edit source]

The concept of collecting knowledge into a broad-reaching compendium dates back centuries. One of the earliest known examples is the Histories of Herodotus. Later, in the Middle Ages, scholars compiled vast works, such as the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas, that served as foundational texts for various fields of study.

The modern encyclopedia began to take shape in the 18th century with publications like Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert. This work sought not just to inform but to promote critical thinking and societal reform.

Formats[edit | edit source]

Print: Traditional encyclopedias were exclusively in print format, consisting of multiple volumes.
Digital: With the advent of the digital age, encyclopedias transitioned online, such as Encyclopedia Britannica's online version.
CD-ROM: In the late 20th century, encyclopedias like Encarta were available on CD-ROM.
Online Platforms: Wikipedia, a user-edited online encyclopedia, has become one of the most popular sources of information on the internet.

Features[edit | edit source]

Entries or Articles: Individual subjects or topics covered in an encyclopedia.
Alphabetical Organization: Most encyclopedias organize entries alphabetically for ease of navigation.
Citations: Reliable encyclopedias cite their sources, allowing readers to verify the information.
Indexes and Appendices: Additional tools to help users locate information.

Notable Encyclopedias[edit | edit source]

Encyclopédie – A significant Enlightenment-era work that encompassed knowledge of the arts and sciences.
Encyclopedia Britannica – Perhaps the most well-known English-language encyclopedia.
Wikipedia – A free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, available in numerous languages.
Encarta – A digital multimedia encyclopedia produced by Microsoft in the 1990s and 2000s.

The real focus of healthcare should be lifestyle, prevention, nutrition, with a compassionate and wellness oriented approach. Big pharma: A Gallup Poll conducted in August 2019 found that 58% of Americans held negative views of the pharmaceutical industry while only 27% held positive views. WikiMD's mission: WikiMD aims to bring in the true science and art of medicine focusing on the prevention, and lifestyle change, as opposed to the big pharma driven version that is being practiced today where new and expensive drugs are pushed as miracle cures. Medical content for AI platforms - Are you interested in using our human written and physician edited high quality content in your AI platform? With over 2 million articles, wikiMD WikiMD's medical content can help transform your AI platform.

Importance and Criticism[edit | edit source]

Encyclopedias play a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge to the public. However, they can be criticized for potential inaccuracies, especially in user-edited formats like Wikipedia. Thus, while they are a starting point for research, deeper investigation often requires more specialized sources.

References[edit | edit source]

Enclyclopedia Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.