Raymond Lulle
He imagines an art of combining basic ideas mechanically, with rotating discs, to discover truths.
Life
Majorcan thinker and writer (Palma around 1232 - around 1316). A layman turned missionary, he wrote in Catalan, Latin and Arabic. He devised an "Art", a method that mechanically combines basic notions with figures and rotating discs to demonstrate the truths of faith. It is seen as an ancestor of combinatorial logic and computing.
Main works
First version of his Art, a method for finding truth by combination.
The most complete version of the Art.
The shortened version of the Art, the most widely read.
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceGod is the source of the divine dignities (goodness, greatness, eternity…) that his Art combines to prove the truths of faith.
Lulle, Ars generalis ultima (1308)
His combinatorial Art is meant to reach demonstrations that are certain, not mere opinions.
Lulle, Ars generalis ultima (1308)
He tries to demonstrate by necessary reasons even the Trinity, to convince Jews and Muslims.
Lulle, Ars generalis ultima (1308) ; Libre del gentil e dels tres savis (vers 1274-1276)