21-10-2019, 02:37 PM
The problem I see here is similar to the discussion about the meso-american theory of Tucker and Janick.
Note that I have had quite some discussions with Jules Janick, which were always fair and friendly.
Touwaide argued that Tucker and Talbot are not historians, and Janick argued that Touwaide is not a botanist.
Now the object being discussed is not a plant but an old book, so for me a historian is better placed than a botanist to judge it. (Of course there are also botanists specialisting in old herbal books.....)
My only point here is just that I have a bit more respect for the opinion of specialists when talking about their area of expertise. Some of them are not specialists, but authorities in their field.
Note that I have had quite some discussions with Jules Janick, which were always fair and friendly.
Touwaide argued that Tucker and Talbot are not historians, and Janick argued that Touwaide is not a botanist.
Now the object being discussed is not a plant but an old book, so for me a historian is better placed than a botanist to judge it. (Of course there are also botanists specialisting in old herbal books.....)
My only point here is just that I have a bit more respect for the opinion of specialists when talking about their area of expertise. Some of them are not specialists, but authorities in their field.