Organizing the Fourth/Tenth Century: Knowledge, Information, Tools

Abstract This paper outlines the rationale behind this Special Issue, problematizing the concept of fourth/tenth-century “Arab encyclopaedism” and advancing new frameworks and points of focus for the analysis of a wide range of activities so far examined under this rubric. In particular, we suggest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Abbasid Studies
Authors: Osti, Letizia (Author) ; Weaver, James (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2020
In: Journal of Abbasid Studies
Further subjects:B Encyclopaedism
B organization of knowledge
B Book History
B Abbasid intellectual history
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Description
Summary:Abstract This paper outlines the rationale behind this Special Issue, problematizing the concept of fourth/tenth-century “Arab encyclopaedism” and advancing new frameworks and points of focus for the analysis of a wide range of activities so far examined under this rubric. In particular, we suggest that, in accordance with the conclusions of several contributors to this volume, greater attention should be paid to developments in the Arabic book that were designed to make texts navigable, such as division into topical chapters, hierarchical chapter-structures and tables of contents. These would more helpfully be understood as part of a longer history whereby books became more easily accessible, and thus useable, for the independent reader. As other contributors stress, it is also more profitable to examine the local, institutional and political circumstances that produced certain kinds of organization, inventory and classification.
ISSN:2214-2371
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Abbasid Studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/22142371-12340060