The structure and attributes of the Universe of Knowledge (UoK)—often referred to as the Universe of Subjects (UoS) in library classification theory—are fundamental concepts, particularly within the framework provided by S.R. Ranganathan.
Nature and Attributes of the Universe of Knowledge
The Universe of Subjects (UoS) is characterized by several complex attributes that classification systems must accommodate:
- Dynamic and Continuous Nature: The UoK is dynamic, continuous, infinite and ever growing. It is also described as turbulently dynamic. This constant growth means new areas or subjects are continuously being added to the sum total of human knowledge.
- Dimensionality: The UoK is multi-dimensional. A core theoretical problem in classification is transforming this multi-dimensional universe of knowledge into a one-dimensional one (a linear arrangement for shelving books).
- Complexity: The UoS is characterized as infinite, manifold, and multidimensional. The increasing complexity of subjects requires classification to organize them effectively.
- Unity and Structure: The entire body of knowledge is presumed to be woven into a system, possessing an evolutionary unity. Classification aims to depict the structure of knowledge.
Subject Types: Ranganathan identified three basic types of subjects in the UoK, analogous to chemical substances:
- Basic Subject (BS) / Vital Subject: A subject enumerated in the schedule of basic subjects. It cannot be expressed as a Compound Subject and typically requires schedules of special Personality, Matter, and Energy isolates. Examples include mathematics, economics, and law. Basic subjects can be further categorized (e.g., traditional, newly emerging, fused, distilled, agglomerates, canonical classes, system constituents, environment constituents, and special constituents).
- Compound Subject (CdS): A subject having a basic subject (basic facet) and one or more isolate ideas or concepts (isolate facet) as components. The make-up of a compound subject constitutes manifestations of one or more of the Five Fundamental Categories (PMEST). Examples are "Mining of gold" or "Chemistry of gold".
- Complex Subject (CxS) / Intricate Subject: A subject formed by a combination of two or more subjects (basic or compound), describing their interrelationship, comparison, or bias. Examples include "Physics compared to Chemistry" or "Psychology for Doctors".
Modes of Formation and Development of Subjects
The attribute known as the "modes of formation of subjects" refers to the ways in which new subjects and relationships are created or recognized within the UoK:
- Lamination: This involves construction by overlaying facets, similar to making a sandwich.
- Lamination 1: One or more isolate facets are layered over a basic facet, resulting in compound subjects. Example: Anatomy (Matter-Property) of the human body (Personality).
- Lamination 2: Two or more sub-facets of a compound facet are laminated over one another, resulting in non-main basic subjects (e.g., Ayurvedic system of medicine).
- Loose Assemblage: This involves assembling two or more components—subjects (basic or compound) or isolate ideas—to express a mutual relationship, resulting in a complex subject or complex isolate idea. Loose Assemblage is categorized by the scope of the relationship:
- Kind-1 (Inter subject phase relation): Two or more simple or compound subjects are studied in mutual relationship (e.g., General, Bias, Comparison, Difference, and Influencing). This results in complex subjects (e.g., Statistics for librarians).
- Kind-2 (Intro facet phase relation): Two or more isolates from one schedule brought into mutual relationship (e.g., Influence of Buddhism on Christianity).
- Kind-3 (Intra array phase relation): Two or more isolates from the same array brought into mutual relation.
- Fission: The process of division or splitting or breaking up into parts.
- Dissection: Used to denote fission when considering an array of divisions of an isolate or basic subject.
- Denudation: Used to denote fission when considering only one subdivision, involving the progressive decrease of extension and increase of intension (depth).
- Fusion: The emergence of new subjects due to interdisciplinary research, combining isolate ideas from two host Primary Basic Subjects (PBS). Examples include Astrophysics and Sociolinguistics.
- Distillation: The formation of a new PBS (pure discipline) that accommodates the theory of a discipline distilled out of an idea occurring as "practice-in-action" in diverse subjects (Kind 1).
- Agglomeration: The gathering together of consecutive or non-consecutive constituents (BS or isolate ideas) into larger masses without cohesion among the components. Examples are the grouping of natural sciences, humanities, or social sciences.
- Clustering (listed but not detailed in the sources).
Ranganathan emphasized that a scheme of library classification must first enumerate this Universe of Subjects, state their interrelations, and fix their order in the idea plane. This process, guided by his fundamental laws, canons, principles, and postulates, allows for the "mapping of the universe of knowledge" in a classification scheme.