The Birth of the MACHINE: Raymundus Lullus and His Invention
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WORK DATA
Lecturer:
Category:
EVENT
Type:
presentation
Keywords:
automatic / communication / electronic / game / history / history of technology / knowledge / machine / mathematics / science
Creation Date:
1996-01-23
Language:
English
Web:
Description:
When, in about 1275, Raymundus Lullus invented his logical machine the Mediterranean Sea was a kind of interface for three expanded cultural streams. Spain in general, and specifically the island of Mallorca was at that time, one could say, a melting pot for the three religions which have determined the history of the world until the present. There was an encounter of the Christian religion with the culture of the Muslims, as well as a very important trace of the Jewish tradition. He began his work just a short time after the successful "reconquista" of Spain, which would not conclude until 1492. It is therefore necessary to regard his invention as embedded within a special situation, i.e., embedded in a deep crisis of communication. With the "Ars combinatoria" of Raymundus Lullus, a real revolution of formalistic thinking was born, as this was the first known text-machine which was able to produce true (and, needless to say, false) declarations in a strange mechanical manner. (W.K.)
More Information
Original Title (English):
The Birth of the MACHINE: Raymundus Lullus and His Invention
Location:
Budapest, Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle
Part of Collection: