Jonathan Betts
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198568025
- eISBN:
- 9780191718144
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198568025.003.23
- Subject:
- Physics, History of Physics
This introductory chapter presents a background on Rupert T. Gould. Gould possessed an exceptional mind; he was a veritable polymath, and his extraordinary knowledge and his dissemination of it in ...
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This introductory chapter presents a background on Rupert T. Gould. Gould possessed an exceptional mind; he was a veritable polymath, and his extraordinary knowledge and his dissemination of it in his books and radio broadcasts made him a household name in his day. Of all the subjects he became expert in, it was Horology — the study of clock making and timekeeping — where he made his greatest contribution: he had an all consuming obsession with the subject and was one of the 20th century's finest antiquarian horologists.Less
This introductory chapter presents a background on Rupert T. Gould. Gould possessed an exceptional mind; he was a veritable polymath, and his extraordinary knowledge and his dissemination of it in his books and radio broadcasts made him a household name in his day. Of all the subjects he became expert in, it was Horology — the study of clock making and timekeeping — where he made his greatest contribution: he had an all consuming obsession with the subject and was one of the 20th century's finest antiquarian horologists.
Cristina Alvarez Millan and Claudia Heide
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748635474
- eISBN:
- 9780748653140
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748635474.001.0001
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Middle Eastern Studies
Pascual de Gayangos (1809–97), celebrated Spanish Orientalist and polymath, is recognised as the father of the modern school of Arabic studies in Spain. He gave Islamic Spain its own voice, for the ...
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Pascual de Gayangos (1809–97), celebrated Spanish Orientalist and polymath, is recognised as the father of the modern school of Arabic studies in Spain. He gave Islamic Spain its own voice, for the first time representing Spain's ‘other’ from ‘within’ not from without. This book celebrates the 200th anniversary of his birth. Covering a wide range of subjects, the book reflects the multiple fields in which Gayangos was involved including scholarship on the culture of Islamic and Christian Spain; history, literature, art; conservation and preservation of national heritage; formation of archives and collections; education; tourism; diplomacy and politics. Amalgamating and understanding Gayangos's multiple identities, the collection reinstates his importance for cultural life in nineteenth-century Spain, Britain and North America. It is also argued that Gayangos's scholarly achievements and his influence have a political dimension. His work must be seen in relation to the quest for a national identity which marked the nineteenth century, so what was the significance of Spain's Islamic past, and the Imperial Golden Age to the culture of modern Spain? The chapters, informed by post-colonial theory, reception theory and theories of national identity, uncover some of the complexities of the process that shaped Spain's national identity. In the course of this book, Gayangos is shown to be a figure with many facets and several intellectual lives — Arabist, historian, liberal, researcher, editor, numismatist, traveller, translator, diplomat, perhaps a spy, a generous collaborator and one of Spain's greatest bibliophiles.Less
Pascual de Gayangos (1809–97), celebrated Spanish Orientalist and polymath, is recognised as the father of the modern school of Arabic studies in Spain. He gave Islamic Spain its own voice, for the first time representing Spain's ‘other’ from ‘within’ not from without. This book celebrates the 200th anniversary of his birth. Covering a wide range of subjects, the book reflects the multiple fields in which Gayangos was involved including scholarship on the culture of Islamic and Christian Spain; history, literature, art; conservation and preservation of national heritage; formation of archives and collections; education; tourism; diplomacy and politics. Amalgamating and understanding Gayangos's multiple identities, the collection reinstates his importance for cultural life in nineteenth-century Spain, Britain and North America. It is also argued that Gayangos's scholarly achievements and his influence have a political dimension. His work must be seen in relation to the quest for a national identity which marked the nineteenth century, so what was the significance of Spain's Islamic past, and the Imperial Golden Age to the culture of modern Spain? The chapters, informed by post-colonial theory, reception theory and theories of national identity, uncover some of the complexities of the process that shaped Spain's national identity. In the course of this book, Gayangos is shown to be a figure with many facets and several intellectual lives — Arabist, historian, liberal, researcher, editor, numismatist, traveller, translator, diplomat, perhaps a spy, a generous collaborator and one of Spain's greatest bibliophiles.
Bruce P. Lenman (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781845861209
- eISBN:
- 9781474406093
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781845861209.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Military History
The book examines the unique role of European military engineers in the service of both kingdoms and republics from the fifteenth to the early nineteenth century. They were usually the only servants ...
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The book examines the unique role of European military engineers in the service of both kingdoms and republics from the fifteenth to the early nineteenth century. They were usually the only servants of the state, apart from artillery or naval officers, with training in mathematics, which explains the frequent overlap between gunners, sailors, and the emerging profession of military engineering. Military engineers were natural polymaths who defended and empowered sovereign authority, especially after the development of artillery made the widespread construction of bastion-defended, low-lying fortifications essential. They also offered services ranging from town planning to basic cartography. They were active in European sovereignties from Lisbon to Istanbul, and also in the fortified port enclaves and dominions acquired by their employers overseas. Originally, as highly-paid, cosmopolitan denizens of an international market, their primary loyalty was a contractual one, often to an individual sovereign. Under the influence of men like the French Marshal Vauban, they became highly-trained elites in several European states, as well as the young United States of America. With the evolution of civilian professions such as civil engineering and pressure to specialise as combat engineers, they finally narrowed their scope, leading to underestimation of their wider earlier significance.Less
The book examines the unique role of European military engineers in the service of both kingdoms and republics from the fifteenth to the early nineteenth century. They were usually the only servants of the state, apart from artillery or naval officers, with training in mathematics, which explains the frequent overlap between gunners, sailors, and the emerging profession of military engineering. Military engineers were natural polymaths who defended and empowered sovereign authority, especially after the development of artillery made the widespread construction of bastion-defended, low-lying fortifications essential. They also offered services ranging from town planning to basic cartography. They were active in European sovereignties from Lisbon to Istanbul, and also in the fortified port enclaves and dominions acquired by their employers overseas. Originally, as highly-paid, cosmopolitan denizens of an international market, their primary loyalty was a contractual one, often to an individual sovereign. Under the influence of men like the French Marshal Vauban, they became highly-trained elites in several European states, as well as the young United States of America. With the evolution of civilian professions such as civil engineering and pressure to specialise as combat engineers, they finally narrowed their scope, leading to underestimation of their wider earlier significance.
George M. Young
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199892945
- eISBN:
- 9780199950577
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199892945.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter introduces the major themes of Russian Cosmism, which include: active self-directed human evolution; the need for universal solutions to existential problems; the unity of knowledge and ...
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This chapter introduces the major themes of Russian Cosmism, which include: active self-directed human evolution; the need for universal solutions to existential problems; the unity of knowledge and action, religion, art, magic, and science; universal immortality as a human task; and a view of man as a citizen not only of the earth but of the entire cosmos. The major Cosmists were polymath thinkers, embracing a variety of intellectual disciplines and apparent contradictions. They combined visionary, futuristic projects with a defense of traditional culture and institutions. A special feature of Cosmism was the attempt to discover scientific equivalents to investigations previously characterized as esoteric or occult. The chapter emphasizes both the Russian and universal character of Cosmist thought.Less
This chapter introduces the major themes of Russian Cosmism, which include: active self-directed human evolution; the need for universal solutions to existential problems; the unity of knowledge and action, religion, art, magic, and science; universal immortality as a human task; and a view of man as a citizen not only of the earth but of the entire cosmos. The major Cosmists were polymath thinkers, embracing a variety of intellectual disciplines and apparent contradictions. They combined visionary, futuristic projects with a defense of traditional culture and institutions. A special feature of Cosmism was the attempt to discover scientific equivalents to investigations previously characterized as esoteric or occult. The chapter emphasizes both the Russian and universal character of Cosmist thought.
Paul M. Zall
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780813123714
- eISBN:
- 9780813134864
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813123714.003.0001
- Subject:
- History, Political History
This introductory chapter explains the coverage of this book, which is about the humour of Benjamin Franklin, a polymath and one of the founding fathers of the U.S. This book examines Franklin's ...
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This introductory chapter explains the coverage of this book, which is about the humour of Benjamin Franklin, a polymath and one of the founding fathers of the U.S. This book examines Franklin's satirical writings using the pseudonyms Mrs. Silence Dogood, Martha Careful, and Caelia Shortface. It highlights his ability to inject humor into almost every situation and discusses his use and abuse of humor for political and diplomatic purposes.Less
This introductory chapter explains the coverage of this book, which is about the humour of Benjamin Franklin, a polymath and one of the founding fathers of the U.S. This book examines Franklin's satirical writings using the pseudonyms Mrs. Silence Dogood, Martha Careful, and Caelia Shortface. It highlights his ability to inject humor into almost every situation and discusses his use and abuse of humor for political and diplomatic purposes.
Steven B. Smith
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- October 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780300100198
- eISBN:
- 9780300128499
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300100198.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
This book begins with a look into the early life of Spinoza. Born Bento Despinosa on November 24, 1632 in Amsterdam, his Hebrew name Baruch means “blessed.” Spinoza received a typical Jewish ...
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This book begins with a look into the early life of Spinoza. Born Bento Despinosa on November 24, 1632 in Amsterdam, his Hebrew name Baruch means “blessed.” Spinoza received a typical Jewish education at the Talmud Torah school. The Jewish community in which he grew up consisted largely of Marranos, that is, Sephardic Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent who had been forcibly converted by the Inquisition and who later fled to France and the Netherlands to avoid further persecution. From an early age, Spinoza's intellectual gifts were noted, and he was considered a polymath. In addition to Portuguese, the lingua franca of his community, Spanish, its literary language, and Dutch, the language of trade and commerce, he also learned Hebrew.Less
This book begins with a look into the early life of Spinoza. Born Bento Despinosa on November 24, 1632 in Amsterdam, his Hebrew name Baruch means “blessed.” Spinoza received a typical Jewish education at the Talmud Torah school. The Jewish community in which he grew up consisted largely of Marranos, that is, Sephardic Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent who had been forcibly converted by the Inquisition and who later fled to France and the Netherlands to avoid further persecution. From an early age, Spinoza's intellectual gifts were noted, and he was considered a polymath. In addition to Portuguese, the lingua franca of his community, Spanish, its literary language, and Dutch, the language of trade and commerce, he also learned Hebrew.
Nancy C. Andreasen
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- September 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780190462321
- eISBN:
- 9780190462345
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190462321.003.0009
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
The nature and sources of creativity have intrigued people for many years. During the early phases of this effort, people relied on anecdotal or historical accounts, but in the twentieth century the ...
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The nature and sources of creativity have intrigued people for many years. During the early phases of this effort, people relied on anecdotal or historical accounts, but in the twentieth century the emphasis shifted to empirical studies. Assuming that high intelligence (“genius”) was associated with creativity, investigators relied on IQ tests to select subjects for study. In the mid-twentieth century the emphasis shifted to custom-designed tests that assessed more specific components of creative thinking. With the development of neuroscientific methods and neuroimaging, the emphasis has shifted to include methods that directly measure brain activity, based on the assumption that creative ideas are the product of brain activity.Less
The nature and sources of creativity have intrigued people for many years. During the early phases of this effort, people relied on anecdotal or historical accounts, but in the twentieth century the emphasis shifted to empirical studies. Assuming that high intelligence (“genius”) was associated with creativity, investigators relied on IQ tests to select subjects for study. In the mid-twentieth century the emphasis shifted to custom-designed tests that assessed more specific components of creative thinking. With the development of neuroscientific methods and neuroimaging, the emphasis has shifted to include methods that directly measure brain activity, based on the assumption that creative ideas are the product of brain activity.
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- February 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226317762
- eISBN:
- 9780226317809
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226317809.003.0013
- Subject:
- Literature, African-American Literature
Because Alain L. Locke's achievements as a cultural leader were reflective of his thinking as a polymath, one could assume his legacy would be diverse in form and purpose. The effects of Locke's ...
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Because Alain L. Locke's achievements as a cultural leader were reflective of his thinking as a polymath, one could assume his legacy would be diverse in form and purpose. The effects of Locke's contributions in many fields, beginning with the period shortly after his passing, are indeed notable and varied. These fields include philosophy, cultural criticism, race theory, adult education, and aesthetics, among others. Locke's life and thought manifest a striking consistency, while his most outstanding contribution is usually referred to as multiculturalism or transculturalism. As with many thinkers, Locke's own terminology offers variants to this: pluralism, cultural relativism, and intercultural reciprocity are all terms he preferred. Horace Kallen revealed Locke's insistence on “cultural pluralism,” the right to be different. Locke was a classical pragmatist, and, although rarely appreciated as a philosopher or a pragmatist during his life, his ideas are increasingly appreciated after his death.Less
Because Alain L. Locke's achievements as a cultural leader were reflective of his thinking as a polymath, one could assume his legacy would be diverse in form and purpose. The effects of Locke's contributions in many fields, beginning with the period shortly after his passing, are indeed notable and varied. These fields include philosophy, cultural criticism, race theory, adult education, and aesthetics, among others. Locke's life and thought manifest a striking consistency, while his most outstanding contribution is usually referred to as multiculturalism or transculturalism. As with many thinkers, Locke's own terminology offers variants to this: pluralism, cultural relativism, and intercultural reciprocity are all terms he preferred. Horace Kallen revealed Locke's insistence on “cultural pluralism,” the right to be different. Locke was a classical pragmatist, and, although rarely appreciated as a philosopher or a pragmatist during his life, his ideas are increasingly appreciated after his death.
Nick Lovegrove and Matthew Thomas
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- October 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198785453
- eISBN:
- 9780191827372
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198785453.003.0007
- Subject:
- Business and Management, International Business
We live in a world sold on depth. As a society, we have become convinced that the route to excellence is a deep specialization. Meanwhile, the highest priority challenges facing society are wide ...
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We live in a world sold on depth. As a society, we have become convinced that the route to excellence is a deep specialization. Meanwhile, the highest priority challenges facing society are wide ranging and multi-faceted. Thus, a new, “broad” leader is urgently required—one who has a wide array of experiences across multiple sectors, disciplines, cultures, functions, and issues. Their breadth imbues them with six distinguishing traits—intellectual thread, transferable skills, integrated networks, contextual intelligence, balanced motivations, and prepared mind—enabling broad leaders to develop more robust and thoughtful solutions to complex global challenges than their deeply specialized counterparts.Less
We live in a world sold on depth. As a society, we have become convinced that the route to excellence is a deep specialization. Meanwhile, the highest priority challenges facing society are wide ranging and multi-faceted. Thus, a new, “broad” leader is urgently required—one who has a wide array of experiences across multiple sectors, disciplines, cultures, functions, and issues. Their breadth imbues them with six distinguishing traits—intellectual thread, transferable skills, integrated networks, contextual intelligence, balanced motivations, and prepared mind—enabling broad leaders to develop more robust and thoughtful solutions to complex global challenges than their deeply specialized counterparts.
Krisztina Teleki
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- February 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780190900694
- eISBN:
- 9780190900724
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190900694.003.0010
- Subject:
- Religion, Buddhism, World Religions
This chapter introduces the life and activity of the Khalkha Zaya Paṇḍita, Luvsanprinlei (Tib. Blo bzang ‘phrin las, 1642–1719), briefly describes his sixteen smoke offering ritual texts, and ...
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This chapter introduces the life and activity of the Khalkha Zaya Paṇḍita, Luvsanprinlei (Tib. Blo bzang ‘phrin las, 1642–1719), briefly describes his sixteen smoke offering ritual texts, and provides a translation of selected five short texts dedicated to different geographical sites in the Khangai Mountain Range. The five texts reflect the Mongols’ belief in spirit landowners, or caretakers, who must be pacified and pleased with offerings and encouraged to ensure prosperity and well-being. The male deity of the Khangai Range, together with its female consort, has manifold retinues, including local gods and spirits who live in nearby valleys, lakes, and springs. The colophons of the five texts mention Zaya Paṇḍita as the author, and they name monks and laypeople who encouraged and supported him. The five texts illustrate how smoke offering practices spread at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Mongolia. Several geographical sites mentioned in the texts can be identified in the current area of Arkhangai, Zavkhan, and Bayankhongor provinces.Less
This chapter introduces the life and activity of the Khalkha Zaya Paṇḍita, Luvsanprinlei (Tib. Blo bzang ‘phrin las, 1642–1719), briefly describes his sixteen smoke offering ritual texts, and provides a translation of selected five short texts dedicated to different geographical sites in the Khangai Mountain Range. The five texts reflect the Mongols’ belief in spirit landowners, or caretakers, who must be pacified and pleased with offerings and encouraged to ensure prosperity and well-being. The male deity of the Khangai Range, together with its female consort, has manifold retinues, including local gods and spirits who live in nearby valleys, lakes, and springs. The colophons of the five texts mention Zaya Paṇḍita as the author, and they name monks and laypeople who encouraged and supported him. The five texts illustrate how smoke offering practices spread at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Mongolia. Several geographical sites mentioned in the texts can be identified in the current area of Arkhangai, Zavkhan, and Bayankhongor provinces.
