Technik und Science-Fiction in der Vormoderne [Technology and science fiction in the premodern age] ed. by Brigitte Burrichter and Dorothea Klein
Matthias Riedl
Reviewed by: Technik und Science-Fiction in der Vormoderne [Technology and science fiction the premodern age] ed. by Brigitte Burrichter Dorothea Klein Matthias Riedl (bio) Edited Würzburg: Königshausen & Neumann, 2018. Pp. 312. This volume emerged from a lecture cycle (Ringvorlesung) at Würzburg University 2016–17. Ringvorlesung is German academic tradition whereby scholars different disciplines establish broad multifold panorama of perspectives on certain topic, this case technology fiction. The research area medieval fairly new, but swiftly growing. In 2016, Carl Kears James Paz edited collection essays under title Medieval Science Fiction, which focuses English literature complements volume's more continental perspective. surprises reader with an unexpected richness diversity materials. benefits following sequence chapters, arranged editors meaningful, loosely chronological order. Stefan Petersen lays groundwork traces understanding mechanica seventh to twelfth century. After Isidor Sevilla broadly defined mechanics as "fabrication things," Carolingian theorists downgraded it application-oriented practical for craftsmen artisans. Later, Hugo Saint Victor's Didascalicon emphasized value scientific diffusion arts. A full rehabilitation arts equal ranking liberal occurs only discovery Greek Arab knowledge thirteenth century combination mathematics. Siegfried Zielinski's well-illustrated contribution highlights importance Arabic-Islamic civilization furthering technical innovation experimental culture. Udo Friedrich provides insights into symbolic function automat political, religious, cultural representation. He especially points "ludic" dimension technology, new playfulness emerging post-Aristotelian nonteleological nature creativity. Three contributions deal similar sources: romances epics. All three authors emphasize prominence machines automats sources how articulates European awareness technological superiority orient, exemplified intercultural narratives Alexander Romances. Yet context, may also symbolize protagonist's hubris attempted transgression God's natural order, Susanne Fried writes. Christian Buhr out that accounts artisan creativity novels constitute reflections [End Page 916] narrators' own most magnificent example French version Tristan epic, where hero commissions creation entire ensemble automatic figures, representing emotions his soul: fears, hopes, dreams, intimate desires. shows romances, often women who resort sophisticated "unethical" weapon they are excluded chivalric combat. vernacular Roman d'Eneas, Dido equips walls her city, Carthage, strong magnetic defense mechanism incapacitates iron-armored warriors. Often, imagined weapons go beyond possibilities time element. Viola Tenge-Wolf explains Ramon Lull's famous thought machine, aimed errorless process could facilitate reconciliation mankind. Bürger then artistic representations Tower Babel complement written help modern researchers understand tools, application techniques, work processes. Elke Lossin offers "pious machines" show impacted early religious practice. Hania Siebenpfeiffer's richly illustrated chapter looks "art flying" literary imagination flying interacts paradigm shifts sciences. Most interesting sociological aspect "science fiction" literature, proves existence pan-European networks distribution. Arguably, thought-provoking piece concluding Wolfgang Riedel. His focus on...
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