Answering Lisa Falk (31 Jan. 1996)

There are different ways of defining and different types of definitions. The
type of definition commonly used to define the museum phenomenon is the
'paradigmatic' definition with the structure of the "definitio per genus
proximum et differentias specificas". Such definition consists of two
elements: an unifying ("genus proximum") and a differentiating
("differentiae specificae") element. The unifying element is a broader term,
referring to a larger category (class). The differentiating element refers
to the specific characteristics that distinguish one single phenomenon from
related ones. Short definitions usually combine the broader term with one
differentiating characteristic. For example: "A museum is a permanent,
public, educational, institution which cares for collections systematically"
(G.E. Burcaw). In this definition the broader term is institution (or rather
'permanent, public, educational institution') and the differentiating
characteristic is given by the phrase 'which cares for collections
systematically'. In most definitions, however, the differentiating element
is twofold, consisting of content and purpose. The aspect of content is
usually also divided into two elements: a set of activities and the subject
matter of these activities. An example of such an extended definition is the
one used by ICOM: "A museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in
teh service of society and its development, and open to the public, which
acquires, conserves, researches, communicates, and exhibits, for purposes of
study, education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their
environment".  In this definition the broader term is again institution (or
rather 'non-profitmaking, permanent institution'). The element of content
refers to the acquisition, conservation, etc. [the activities] of 'the
material evidence of people and their environment' [the subject matter]. The
element of purpose is given by the phrase 'in the service of society and its
devlopment', specified by the phrase 'for the purpose of study, education
and enjoyment'.

There are descriptive and normative (prescriptive) definitions. From 1974
onwards the (descriptive) ICOM definition has gradually developed into a
prescriptive standard.

The Dutch sociologist Nuyens has remarked that museum definitions usually
are conceptualized from the point of view of the owner or governing body. He
proposes an alternative, philosophical difinition, developed from the point
of view of the user, the visitor: "A museum is a place which invites, in a
special way, to contemplation and musing about our humanly strive after
truth, goodness and beauty. This contemplation and musing brighten at one
side the notion of our nullity and transitoriness, but reinforce at the
other side the experience of our mysterious relationship and linking with
the Imperishable".

This type of definition is rather exeptional. Most definitions follow the
same model as used by Burcaw and ICOM.

Broader term. Until the 19th century the term museum was generally applied
to collections. Frequently the term is used for building. In definitions the
broader term usually refers to institution. In this way ecomuseums are included.

Activities. Most definitions cover the whole range of museological
functions, though in different terms. The functions are on the whole listed
in 'chronological' order: acquisition, conservation, documentation,
research, display, education, i.e. a 'neutral' approach that does not
subordinate one function to another. The role of research does not seem to
be decisive. Some definitions emphasize the communication function as core
activities, others collections management.

Subject matter. To most authors this is the heart of the matter. The use of
objects as main carriers of messages is seen as the decisive criterion for
being designated as museum. The problem is to define 'subject matter' in a
way that museum can be distinguished from archives, libraries, zoological
and botanical gardens. ICOM's 'material evidence' include a wide (too wide
?) range of institutions.

Purpose. Some definitions do not refer to purpose at all. There is a general
tendency to consider museums in the light of their functional definition
rather than in terms of their purpose. This is not surprising since what is
different and distinctive about museums is that they collect, preserve, etc.
That they do so for a larger and publicly beneficial purpose is neither
different nor distinctive. They share this purpose with a manifold of other
institutions such as schools, hospitals, orchestres, churches, etc.

In view of the multitude of definitions, it seems to be difficult to agree
on anyone. However, the comparison of definitions on the basis of their
structure and content is a useful tool to explore the identity of museums.

I hope this short expose helps.

Peter van Mensch
lecturer of theoretical museology and museum ethics
Reinwardt Academie
Dapperstraat 315
1093 BS Amsterdam

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