Description
Book SynopsisThis book provides a comprehensive account of knowledge of the natural world in Europe, c.1500â1700. Often referred to as the Scientific Revolution, this period saw major transformations in fields as diverse as anatomy and astronomy, natural history and mathematics. Articles by leading specialists describe in clear, accessible prose supplemented by extensive bibliographies, how new ideas, discoveries, and institutions shaped the ways in which nature came to be studied, understood, and used. Part I frames the study of 'The New Nature' in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Part II surveys the 'Personae and Sites of Natural Knowledge'. Part III treats the study of nature by discipline, following the classification of the sciences current in early modern Europe. Part IV takes up the implications of the new natural knowledge for religion, literature, art, gender, and European identity.
Trade Review'Undoubtedly this hefty volume is a necessary addition to the libraries of early modern scholars and to the bibliography of any course covering science in the early modern period.' British Journal for the History of Science
Table of ContentsList of illustrations; Notes on contributors; General editors' preface; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction: the age of the new Katharine Park and Lorraine Daston; Part I. The New Nature: 2. Physics and foundations Daniel Garber; 3. Scientific explanation Lynn S. Joy; 4. The meanings of experience Peter Dear; 5. Proof and persuasion Richard W. Serjeantson; Part II. Personae and Sites of Natural Knowledge: 6. The man of science Steven Shapin; 7. Women of natural knowledge Londa Schiebinger; 8. Markets, piazzas, and villages William Eamon; 9. Homes and households Alix Cooper; 10. Libraries and lecture halls Anthony Grafton; 11. Courts and academies Bruce T. Moran; 12. Anatomy theaters, botanical gardens, and natural history collections Paula Findlen; 13. Laboratories Pamela H. Smith; 14. Sites of military science and technology Kelly DeVries; 15. Coffeehouses and print shops Adrian Johns; 16. Networks of travel, correspondence, and exchange Steven J. Harris; Part III. Dividing the Study of Nature: 17. Natural philosophy Ann Blair; 18. Medicine Harold J. Cook; 19. Natural history Paula Findlen; 20. Cosmography Klaus A. Vogel (translated by Alisha Rankin); 21. From alchemy to 'chymistry' William R. Newman; 22. Magic Brian P. Copenhaver; 23. Astrology H. Darrel Rutkin; 24. Astronomy William Donahue; 25. Acoustics and optics Paolo Mancosu; 26. Mechanics Domenico Beroloni Meli; 27. The mechanical arts Jim Bennett; 28. Pure mathematics Kirsti Andersen and Henk J. M. Bos; Part IV. Cultural Meanings of Natural Knowledge: 29. Religion Rivka Feldhay; 30. Literature Mary Baine Campbell; 31. Art Carmen Niekrasz and Claudia Swan; 32. Gender Dorinda Outram; 33. European expansion and self-definition Klaus A. Vogel (translated by Alisha Rankin); Index.
