한국서양중세사학회

This paper concerns the cultural implication of knowledge classifications during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It especially aims to examine the classifications of encyclopedic knowledge in these periods. In fact, it serves as a pointer to the ‘alphabetization of human mind’ and that of society. We can also point out characteristics and important developments on knowledge classification during these periods. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, thematic and hierarchic classifications have been the prevailing modes of classification. At the same time, the Middle Ages contributed to the visualization of knowledge, represented through diagrams in various forms such as the tree, wheel, ladder, tower, etc. Among these, Ramon Llull’s ‘arbor scientiae’ was the most well-known. It remained influential and enjoyed great popularity throughout the Renaissance period. Furthermore, the use of alphabetic order and alphabetic index have been expanding gradually since the end of the 12th century. Especially, from the 14th century, medieval encyclopedias adopted the alphabetic classification by including an alphabetic index and table. The era also marked by the emergence of the first alphabetically arranged encyclopedia such as James Le Palmer’s the Omne Bonum.