Question

What is a seminal document?

Answer 1

A seminal document is a foundational or influential text that significantly shapes a field, discipline, or movement. It often introduces new ideas, principles, or frameworks that have lasting impacts on subsequent thought, policies, or practices. Seminal documents can include research papers, philosophical treatises, legal documents, or manifestos, among others. Their importance typically lies in their ability to inspire further inquiry, debate, or action within a particular area of study or social context. Examples of seminal documents include works like Darwin's "On the Origin of Species," Karl Marx's "The Communist Manifesto," or the Declaration of Independence.