The Closed World?: Finding the Innumerable in Medieval Encyclopedism

Author / Editor
Ronquist, E. C.

Title
The Closed World?: Finding the Innumerable in Medieval Encyclopedism

Published
Florilegium 15 (1998): 61-84.

Description
Medieval encyclopedism, although typically treated as a manifestation of "closed-systems" thinking, has many dimensions that suggest a wider, unresolved view of the universe. Chaucer's works, with other encyclopedic texts, offer examples of open thinking, such as interest in the irrational, the unforeseen, and the uncertain. Includes comments on PF, HF, and CT.

Chaucer Subjects
Background and General Criticism.
Canterbury Tales--General
Parliament of Fowls
House of Fame