"And there is also Polus, who has schools of diplasiology, and gnomology, and eikonology, and who teaches in them the words of which Licymnius made him a present; they were to give a polish."
-- Socrates in the Phaedrus by Plato
- Eikonology
- The study of images and visual representations, particularly in the context of their meanings and cultural significance. It encompasses the analysis of how images convey ideas, emotions, and narratives within various disciplines such as art history, media studies, and cultural studies. Eikonology examines not only the aesthetic aspects of images but also their sociopolitical implications, historical contexts, and the ways they influence perception and understanding in society. This field often involves interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from philosophy, semiotics, and anthropology to explore how images function as symbols in communication and can be applied to a wide range of visual materials, including painting, photography, filmography, advertising, and digital media.