Anamnestics

"The best of prophets of the future is the past." Byron, from his journal, dated January 28, 1821.

"Anamnestic" (pronounced an-am-NES-tik) is an adjective derived from the Greek word "anamnesis," which means "recollection" or "a calling to mind."

In its general sense, anamnestic refers to anything of or relating to memory, recollection, or remembrance.

The term is used in various fields with slightly different nuances:

• In Philosophy (especially Platonic philosophy): Anamnesis refers to the idea that learning is not about acquiring new knowledge, but rather about recollecting innate knowledge that the soul already possesses, perhaps from a previous existence. Plato famously illustrates this by showing how an uneducated slave boy could be led to solve a geometry problem through skillful questioning, suggesting he was "remembering" what he already knew.

• In Medicine/Psychology: Here, "anamnesis" (often used as a noun) refers to a patient's medical history as recalled by the patient themselves (or by someone close to them). When a doctor asks you about your past illnesses, symptoms, or family medical history, they are taking an anamnesis. It's the information gathered from the patient's memory that helps in diagnosis and treatment.

• In Immunology: An "anamnestic response" is a secondary, faster, and stronger immune response to an antigen that the body has encountered before. It's a manifestation of the immune system's "memory" of previous infections or vaccinations.

So, while it has specific uses in technical fields, the core meaning of "anamnestic" always revolves around the concept of remembering, recalling, or drawing upon past information or experiences.