The University of Arizona

Derivation



Derivation of the term "Ergalics"

The phrase "natural science of computational tools as a perspective of computer science" is verbose and awkward. The term "science of computer science" is shorter but still awkward. Hence, we use the term "ergalics" for this new science. It derives from the Greek word ergaleion (εργαλειων), translated by both Woodhouse's English Greek Dictionary and Liddell and Scott's A Greek-English Lexicon as "tool" or "instrument." This etymology is related to the Greek word ergon (εργων), meaning "work," "job," or "task," and is the basis of the English words "ergonomics," an applied science of equipment design, "ergometer," an apparatus for measuring the work performed by a group of muscles, and the "erg," a CGS unit of work. These other terms emphasize the physical body; ergalics emphasizes computation. Some advantages of this term are it is a new word and thus not overloaded with existing meaning, it is short, it is consistent with other scientific terminology, and it doesn't have negative connotations.

"Ergalics" is a noun (cf. physics); "ergalic" is an adjective.


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