Litblog: The World Literature Blog

I decided to look into the whole first scientist deal (out of my own curiosity and desire to learn). There are a number of early "scientists" such as the first recognized medical doctor (Imhotep from Egypt in ~2725 B.C.), Pythagoras who developed mathematical theory in ~530 B.C., Leucippus and Democritus who first proposed that matter is made of small, indestructible particles (~370 B.C.), or even the famous astronomers and philosophers Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei of the 1600s. The title of "first scientist" could probably be given to the great philosopher Aristotle, who founded the Lyceum and studied logic and philosophy. However, if we're talking about the very first recognized MODERN scientist, consensus would lead us to Francis Bacon. Bacon published his Instauratio Magna (in 1620) which contains his Novum Organum, the modern theory of the scientific method and inductive reasoning upon which modern science is based. Below is a link to a picture of the work's title page.
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/images/zbaconfp.gif

I thought it might be fun to keep track of all the groups that Voltaire rags on in Candide. If you come up with any others, feel free to add 'em. Here's what I can think of off the top of my head: optimists, nobility, inquisitors, the clergy in general, jews, philosophers, scientists.

Like I said, you guys are free to add. It's almost like nobody can escape the fury of his satire!

I think the national flags on some of the wiki pages need to go. The modern flag of communist China has little to do with the China of Li Po, and although the modern Union Jack (1801) is close to the original Union flag of England (1606), it's not the same, and even that flag wouldn't be representative of pre-Jacobean British literature (e.g., Chaucer). My point is that flags change over time, whereas the linguistic and cultural contexts of the literature we've been reading are part of a larger, more unshakeable canon.

Take this as an opportunity to find some appropriate substitutes. If the 1801 Union Jack doesn't adequately represent Milton and his predecessors, what does?

Even though we're not reading Rabelais, I've made a page for him on the Wiki so you can get some sense of why he's such an important Renaissance counterpoint to the kinds of classicism we've been talking about. He's also a great deal of fun.

Dr. Smith

In refrence to Li Po's Sitting Alone by Ching-t'ing Mountain, does anyone else feel that he may be yearning to fly off as the birds do since we know about his addictive personality? The poem seems to have a somber tone to me, almost like he wishes he could change his situation.

Fascinating piece on new Homer paintings from antiquity here.

Can someone find something a bit more authoritative and detailed than the CNN link on this and put it on the Homer page?

Dr. Smith

Again guys you need to watch what types of websites you put on the wiki. Some sites are being put up that are pretty much online shopping centers.

Guys you have to watch your links and make sure they actually work. You have to select to make an external link and not a wiki link when the dialogue box comes up. People keep selecting a wiki link and then the link will not work.