The idea that there once existed a language which perfectly and unambiguously expressed the essence of all possible things and concepts has occupied the minds of philosophers, theologians, mystics and others for at least two millennia. This is an investigation into the history of that idea and of it[...]

Essays discuss poetry, communication, television, form, aesthetics, bad taste, and art

Den lærde franciscaner William fra Baskerville og hans elev Adso befinner seg i et benedictinerkloster i Italia i år 1327. Hver dag i en uke finner man en myrdet munk, og William må løse klosterets gåte. Sentralt i gåten står klosterets mektige og hemmelighetsfulle bibliotek. William samler b[...]

Set in the 17th century, in Italy, France and on the high seas, this is a tale of medieval legends and dastardly deeds, mixed with portions of exploration literature. Roberto, a young nobleman, waits alone on a Pacific island, separated from the island beyond: the island of the day before.[...]

SERENDIPITIES is an iconoclastic, dazzlingly erudite and witty demonstration, by one of the world's most brilliant thinkers, of how myths and lunacies can produce historical developments of no small significance. In Eco's words, 'even errors can produce interesting side effects'. Eco's book shows ho[...]

The Philosophy of Umberto Eco stands out in the Library of Living Philosophers series as the volume on the most interdisciplinary scholar hitherto and probably the most widely translated. The Italian philosopher's name and works are well known in the humanities, both his philosophical and literary w[...]

Beauty and ugliness are two sides of the same coin; by ugliness we usually mean the opposite of beauty and we often define the first in order to understand the nature of the second. But the various depictions of ugliness over the centuries are richer and more unpredictable than is commonly thought. [...]

Best known for postmodernist fiction like 'The Name of the Rose', Umberto Eco, the Sherlock Holmes of semiotics, is constantly blurring the boundaries between high and low culture. Here we see football as a metaphor, a motif and a vehicle for interpreting the human fascination with ideals.[...]

These days it is almost impossible to get away from discussions of whether the 'book' will survive the digital revolution. This book is the transcription of a long conversation between the two men in which they discuss a vast range of subjects, from what can be defined as the first book, to the idea[...]

Who is killing monks in a great medieval abbey famed for its library - and why? Brother William of Baskerville is sent to find out, taking with him the assistant who later tells the tale of his investigations. Eco's celebrated story combines elements of detective fiction, metaphysical thriller, post[...]