TeraS at 17:30, 20 October 2014

2014-10-20T17:30:44Z

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	[[Category:~~Definitions~~]]		[[Category:Deities, Spirits, and Mythic Beings]]
	[[File:Alchemische Vereinigung aus dem Donum Dei.jpg\|thumb\|Alchemical processes were symbolically illustrated using images of humans and animals inside of vessels. This contributed to the legend of the homunculus.<ref>William R. Newman. ''Promethean Ambitions: Alchemy and the Quest to Perfect Nature.'' University of Chicago Press, 2005. p.164-236.</ref> (''Pretiosissimum Donum Dei'' 15th century.)]]		[[File:Alchemische Vereinigung aus dem Donum Dei.jpg\|thumb\|Alchemical processes were symbolically illustrated using images of humans and animals inside of vessels. This contributed to the legend of the homunculus.<ref>William R. Newman. ''Promethean Ambitions: Alchemy and the Quest to Perfect Nature.'' University of Chicago Press, 2005. p.164-236.</ref> (''Pretiosissimum Donum Dei'' 15th century.)]]
	'''Homunculus''' (masculine, Latin for "little man", plural: "homunculi"; from the diminutive of ''homo'') is a term used, generally, in various fields of study to refer to any representation of a small human being. Popularized in sixteenth century alchemy and nineteenth century fiction, it has historically referred to the creation of a miniature, fully formed human. The concept has roots in preformationism as well as earlier folklore and alchemic traditions. Currently, in scientific fields, a homunculus may refer to any scale model of the human body that, in some way, illustrates physiological, psychological, or other abstract human characteristics or functions, such as compartmentalization of tasks.<ref>[http://www.sheldrake.org/videos/a-glorious-accident-full-roundtable-discussion A Glorious Accident (PBS series) full roundtable discussion, featured on Sheldrake.org - Homunculi discussed as an abstract explanatory principle at 1:44:50 into the 3 hour discussion]</ref>		'''Homunculus''' (masculine, Latin for "little man", plural: "homunculi"; from the diminutive of ''homo'') is a term used, generally, in various fields of study to refer to any representation of a small human being. Popularized in sixteenth century alchemy and nineteenth century fiction, it has historically referred to the creation of a miniature, fully formed human. The concept has roots in preformationism as well as earlier folklore and alchemic traditions. Currently, in scientific fields, a homunculus may refer to any scale model of the human body that, in some way, illustrates physiological, psychological, or other abstract human characteristics or functions, such as compartmentalization of tasks.<ref>[http://www.sheldrake.org/videos/a-glorious-accident-full-roundtable-discussion A Glorious Accident (PBS series) full roundtable discussion, featured on Sheldrake.org - Homunculi discussed as an abstract explanatory principle at 1:44:50 into the 3 hour discussion]</ref>

TeraS at 22:50, 13 July 2014

2014-07-13T22:50:29Z

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2007-12-21T03:40:25Z

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[[Category:Definitions]]

The concept of a homunculus (Latin for "little man", plural "homunculi"; the diminutive of homo, "human being") is often used to illustrate the functioning of a system. In the scientific sense of an unknowable prime actor, it can be viewed as an entity or agent.

“Preformationism,” a theory of heredity, claimed either the egg or the sperm (exactly which was a contentious issue) contained a complete preformed individual called a homunculus. Development was therefore a matter of enlarging this into a fully formed being. In the days of preformationism, genetic disease was variously interpreted: sometimes as a manifestation of the wrath of God or the mischief of [[demon]]s and [[devil]]s; sometimes as evidence of either an excess of or a deficit of the father's “seed”; sometimes as the result of “wicked thoughts” on the part of the mother during pregnancy. On the premise that fetal malformation can result when a pregnant mother's desires are thwarted, Napoleon passed a law permitting expectant mothers to shoplift.

For further informaton, please see the Wikipedia entry: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homunculus Homunculus]

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