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 e-mail [log in to unmask]