New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
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Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#2[deleted]
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#3Based on what is in the article I wouldn't call this a very strong thesis.
"[...] numerous persuasive similarities. Both characters held chairs at small provincial universities; both won appointments on the basis of outstanding early work; both had interests in astronomy; the two were of similar appearance"
These coincidences are supposed to be persuasive? I know several people like that. Plus the photograph and the illustration are nothing alike!
"[...] Boole was a man of high morals and excellent character, a social reformer, religious thinker and family man. The new book by MacHale and Cohen presents extensive arguments that may account for the dramatic contrast between the two characters."
I haven't read the book but that's some damning praise. The arguments are not persuasive, but at least they're long!
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#4[deleted]
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#5Based on what is in the article I wouldn't call this a very strong thesis. "[...] numerous persuasive similarities. Both characters held chairs at small provincial universities; both won appointments on the basis of outstanding early work; both had interests in astronomy; the two were of similar appearance" These coincidences are supposed to be persuasive? I know several people like that. Plus the photograph and the…
MacHale is _the_ expert on Boole, and a wonderful man. Without reading the book though, I do suspect motivated reasoning on his part.
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#6Based on what is in the article I wouldn't call this a very strong thesis. "[...] numerous persuasive similarities. Both characters held chairs at small provincial universities; both won appointments on the basis of outstanding early work; both had interests in astronomy; the two were of similar appearance" These coincidences are supposed to be persuasive? I know several people like that. Plus the photograph and the…
Come come, surely it must be the case that either Moriarty was based on George Boole or he wasn't. Tertium non datur!
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#7I'm sure Arthur Conan Doyle drew from a number of influences to create Moriarty. Adam Worth and Jonathan Wild are considered inspirations for the character, for example:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/review-of-the-na...
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#8"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."
I'm sure Boole approved of that.
Fascinating how these two contemporaries achieved immortal fame through completely different disciplines.
I wonder if in 100+ years people will rememeber prominent writers or scientists of this age?
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#9"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." I'm sure Boole approved of that. Fascinating how these two contemporaries achieved immortal fame through completely different disciplines. I wonder if in 100+ years people will rememeber prominent writers or scientists of this age?
At least the giants, like Jacqueline Susann and Harold Robbins.
Re: New book suggests Arthur Conan Doyle based Moriarty on George Boole
#10"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." I'm sure Boole approved of that. Fascinating how these two contemporaries achieved immortal fame through completely different disciplines. I wonder if in 100+ years people will rememeber prominent writers or scientists of this age?
At least the giants, like Jacqueline Susann and Harold Robbins.
Never heard of those and I do read a lot so they hardly qualify as giants even though they have had their share of success. Stephen King, on the other hand, is probably not going to be forgotten any time soon (I find his books dull tbh but nobody cares about my opinion :).