Ars Inquirendi · Ramon Llull · Paper instrument 1 / 3

The Fourth Figure: fixed outer circle

Cut around the outside circle. Pierce the marked centre. This circle stays fixed while the two smaller circles turn.

Modern reconstruction after the Ars brevis, part II.4. The three circles use the same nine letters, with many meanings in Llull’s alphabet. This is a tool for following the Art’s operations; combinations alone are not proofs.

arsinq.com/llul/ · Outer diameter: 180 mm

Ars Inquirendi · Ramon Llull · Paper instrument 2 / 3

The moving middle circle

Cut out this circle and the smaller circle on page 3. Stack the middle over the outer circle, then the smallest on top. Join all three centres with a loose paper fastener.

Make the first reading

Hold B on the outer circle at the top. Turn the middle circle until its C is directly beneath that B. Turn the smallest circle until its D is beneath that C. Read inwards: B C D.

Now turn only the smallest circle until E replaces D. Read B C E. Nine new alignments appear together: the next ray reads C D F.

This follows the turning example in the Ars brevis, part II.4. Middle diameter: 134 mm.

Ars Inquirendi · Ramon Llull · Paper instrument 3 / 3

The moving inner circle

A question through B C D

In the principles column, B means goodness, C greatness, and D eternity or duration. Llull asks:

Exhibition translations of Ars brevis, part XI.4, question 26. Llull’s affirmative answer belongs to his Christian theological argument. The wheels do not calculate it.

Latin text: ALIM, resource 181 — alim.unisi.it/dl/resource/181. English comparison: Yanis Dambergs (2006), lullianarts.narpan.net/ArsBrevis.pdf. Sources, alphabet and guided reading: arsinq.com/llul/.

Inner diameter: 88 mm. Each of the nine steps is 40°. Pierce the centre; keep the fastener loose enough for both moving circles to turn.