 |
 |
 |
Malaspina Great Books Frequently Asked Questions
See our entry in the BBC Web Guide
The information at this site is organized from seven categories (science, art, books, theatre, music, history and cinema) in two distinct formats: in conventional lists, and in a relational database which combines the seven categories.
The conventional list format [see Interdisciplinary Matrix] organizes entries under seven categories (i.e. science centre, art gallery, book room, theatre stage, music hall, movie house and history place). There are seven rooms for each category corresponding to each of seven distinct historical (i.e. "musical") periods: Antiquity, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern. The rationale for this particular organizational scheme is explained in the Guide Scheme and Site Philosophy. You can explore these categories by clicking on the appropriate main page panels (i.e. Science Centre) and then clicking on the historical period (i.e. room) of interest (i.e. Renaissance Science). For those not familiar with music, the term "classical" refers to the early modern period between the years 1750 AD and 1820 AD and NOT to "classical antiquity."
The relational database format provides an integrated (as in interdisciplinary) "all-in-one" approach to all records in our growing guide. We recommend that you invest a few minutes investigating the structure of the database. This database allows record comparison, chronologically (by date of birth along an 8,000 year timeline). The records in the seven categories are organized chronologically in seven "rings." You may switch categories or "rings" using the tool below.
If you are new to this site begin by reading the Guide Scheme, the Index, the What's New File and the Books Guide.
Examine methodically and truly every object which is presented to thee in life. Look always at things so as to see at the same time what kind of universe this is, and what kind of use everything performs in it, and what value everything has with reference to the whole, and what with reference to humans, who are citizens of the highest city, of which all other cities are like families; what each thing is, and of what it is composed, and how long it is the nature of this thing to endure which now makes an impression on me, and what virtue I have need of with respect to it, such as gentleness, humanity, truth, fidelity, simplicity, and contentment. - Marcus Aurelius (ca. 167 AD)
This World Wide Web document is a personal research project motivated by the following claim: "Truth is the object of Knowledge of whatever kind; and when we inquire what is meant by Truth, I suppose it is right to answer that Truth means facts and their relations, which stand towards each other pretty much as subjects and predicates in logic. All that exists, as contemplated by the human mind, forms one large system or complex fact, and this of course resolves itself into an indefinite number of particular facts, which, as being portions of a whole, have countless relations of every kind, one towards another." (The Idea of a University, John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)
This site is designed for the educational and personal use of students, scholars, and the public. Any commercial use or publication of materials contained herein without authorization is strictly prohibited. Our appreciation is extended to the University of Haifa Library, Christus Rex, WebMuseum, the National Gallery of Canada, Carol Gerten-Jackson and Mark Harden. Thanks also to Dave Lampson [ Classical Net (TM)] for inspiring these pages. Thanks also to Professor Lon Spight (UNLV) [Classical Composers Picture Archive] for suggestions and image resources. A very special thanks and appreciation to Eric W. Weisstein one of the web's greatest talents and intellectual resources. We also appreciate and acknowledge the resources available from one of the finest science archives on the web, The MacTutor History of Mathematics. This site was established Dec 12, 1995 Version 5.00 June 24, 1999 (statistics) and is dedicated to the memory of media theorist Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980). Site authorship, maintenance and design by Russell McNeil, Ph.D. © 1998
