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Understanding Ramon Llull: ​Philosophy, Arts and Science through the Ars Combinatoria

Explore the fascinating work of philosopher Ramon Llull and its impact with this free online course

3,128 enrolled on this course

Rechner Raum (Espai de càlcul), 2007. Ralf Baecker
  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours

Ramon Llull, born in Majorca in the 13th Century, was an influential philosopher, writer and pioneering thinker. This controversial man was admired and scorned alike by some of the most enlightened minds in European culture. He was also one of the leading lights in the intellectual circles of the late 13th century, in which Arab, Jewish and Christian philosophers and scientists participated.

Today he has acquired a new importance in the debate on the ways knowledge is shared with others. In this course we’ll explore his work and how it’s influenced the arts, literature, science and technology.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 11 seconds Can you imagine a totally interconnected world?

Skip to 0 minutes and 18 seconds Where religions speak a universal grammar?

Skip to 0 minutes and 24 seconds Where agreement between Christianity, Islam and Judaism under the same principles is sought?

Skip to 0 minutes and 32 seconds Where the dogmas of the Incarnation and the Trinity are explained rationally?

Skip to 0 minutes and 38 seconds And where science and religion go together?

Skip to 0 minutes and 44 seconds This is how Ramon Llull conceived reality: as a set of elements in constant connection, with God as the principle of these interactions between men and the different levels of existence, reconciling these dogmas united with the sciences. A networked world. On this course we’ll travel through the Lullian universe through his life and his work, in relation to the exhibition “The Thinking Machine” at the Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona. Accompanied by professor of Aesthetics and Art Theory Amador Vega, we will find out about the Ars combinatoria, a universal system that Llull created to unite religions. We will see how this language is applied to the various disciplines and sciences.

Skip to 1 minute and 29 seconds We will understand his mission to convince through reason and show faith using intellect. We will discover some of the symbols he used to explain the interactions between the elements of reality. We will understand Llull’s contemporaneity as a precursor to modern logic and the principles of computing. And we will see how his system fascinated and influenced illustrious people throughout history such as Nicholas of Cusa, Philip II, Leibniz and Salvador Dalí. Extending East and West through the centuries.

What topics will you cover?

  • Ramon Llull’s biography
  • Work and inventions of Ramon Llull
  • Impact of Ramon Llull’s works on other contemporary and future artists (architects, painters, writers, etc.)
  • How Llull’s philosophy contributed to the modern idea of networking

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Assess how Ramon Llull’s works influenced other artists
  • Find out about Llull’s innovative philosophy regarding the idea of networking
  • Know more about Ramon Llull’s life and work
  • Learn more about Llull’s Tree of Science and Ars Combinatoria

Who is the course for?

You don’t need any previous experience to do this course, just an interest in philosophy.

Who will you learn with?

Full professor of Aesthetics and Art Theory at the Department of Humanities, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona.
Currently teaches Aesthetics and Religion, Medieval Thought and Philosophy of Religion.

PhD in Humanities (Universitat Pompeu Fabra).

Who developed the course?

Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is a public, international and research-intensive university in Barcelona. In just 25 years, it has earned a place for itself among the best universities in Europe.

Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is a multidisciplinary institution and one of the most visited exhibition and arts centres in Barcelona.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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