Humanities Medicine 

Etymology - Medicine - Mythology - Arts - Sciences

The ancestry of ideas in words has roots in remote times, in a manner similar to the ancestry of genes. Like genes, words have a family history or pedigree that can be traced. Notably, biologic and linguistic evolution are intertwined. Ancestral archives of genes and words contain "archetypes" of ideas that may serve as bridges with the past and may explain modern realities. The survival of archetypes against oblivion reflects qualities of utility, fitness, beauty or at least elegance. The charm of many "word ideas" had a grip on the imagination of many saints, poets, and politicians who used them to inflame the imagination of followers. Liberty, Justice, Happiness, Oblivion, Mother, Nation are "word ideas" that have fostered dreams and engendered nightmares. Inevitably, as human leaders and dictators exploit "word ideas" to frame new odysseys, meanings may evolve, become deformed, be replaced or die.

The core goal of the author is to help replace memorization with understanding. The contents were developed by a single author who chose to stress ideas and the gist found in words. Many compilations explore the significance of words but none quite like the approach used in Pandora's Word Box. Whereas other works were created as hard print publications, this compilation was designed for PC computer use. Cross-referencing was designed to enhance computer searches.

Many entries are amplified with arrays of illustrations of classic sculptures and paintings. Just like many human heroes are the creations of poets, many ideas gain grit from the beauty of works of art. We seek to demonstrate that a balance of "Arts and sciences" anchors civilized societies. In this spirit, we hope that visitors, students in particular, will experience the reality of the logo "Arts and Sciences" ... (more)

Update 16/May/2002

April 04, 2001