Concept
Literacy
Overview
Literacy is traditionally the ability to read and write. Since the mid-twentieth century, the term is also used more broadly to encompass identifying, understanding, interpreting, creating, communicating, and using written information in ways that enable individuals to participate effectively in society and achieve goals.
The spread of literacy has been closely linked to the invention and spread of writing systems, the expansion of education, and technological change. Literacy rates have increased substantially worldwide since the mid-twentieth century, although significant disparities remain between countries, regions, and demographic groups, particularly with respect to gender and access to education.
Because literacy is fundamental to education, economic participation, and civic life, it has been the subject of extensive interdisciplinary research, and its definition and measurement remain the subject of scholarly and policy debate.
Related concepts include functional literacy and multiliteracies, while specialized forms include digital literacy, media literacy, and health literacy.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Philosophers who discussed Literacy
Related ideas
- Dark Ages (historiography)
- Outline of ancient India
- Grapheme
- Gross domestic product
- Glyph
- Hebrew language
- Harappa
- Iceland
- India
- Iran
- Problem solving
- Ireland
- Ancient Greek
- Industrial Revolution
- Julius Caesar
- Eritrea
- Laos
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Morpheme
- Mexico City
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- Mongolia
- BBC
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Ancient Greek philosophy.