Revolution and Continuity: Essays in the History and Philosophy of Early Modern Science

240 Pages·1991·9.72 MB·English

by  Peter Barker, Roger Ariew (editor)

Studies in Philosophy
and the History of Philosophy Volume 24
REVOLUTION
AND CONTINUITY
Essays in the History
and Philosophy of Early
Modern Science
Edited by Peter Barker
and Roger Ariew
REVOLUTION
AND CONTINUITY
Essays in the History and
Philosophy of Modern
Science
Edited by Peter Barker
and Roger Ariew
Studies in Philosophy
and the History of Philosophy
Volume 24
This volume presents new work in history
and historiography to the increasingly broad
audience for studies of the history and philos¬
ophy of science. These essays are linked by
a concern to understand the content of early
modern science in its own context. The edi¬
tors’ introduction—itself a substantial essay—
examines several myths about the Copernican
revolution perpetuated by the neglect of con¬
text. They conclude that the question of mod¬
ern science's continuity with medieval science
cannot be settled except by particular histori¬
cal investigations—a conclusion that under¬
mines the presumption of discontinuity in
most contemporary history and philosophy of
science. Neither continuity nor discontinuity
may be legislated.
The papers presented in this volume form
four groups. The first two essays address his¬
toriographical questions concerning the role
of institutions such as universities and scien¬
tific academies in the founding of modern sci¬
ence. Mordechai Feingold substantially qual¬
ifies the thesis that universities were the
centers of resistance to the new science.
David Lux examines the pervasive influence
of Martha Ornstein’s work concerning seven¬
teenth-century scientific societies. The second
group of essays extends the range of histori¬
cal studies into generally neglected areas of
science. Harold Cook’s essay provides an
entry into a range of issues connecting medi¬
cine and other sciences. Roger Ariew’s pa¬
per reminds us that astronomy and physics
(continued on the back flap)
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REVOLUTION AND CONTINUITY
STUDIES IN PHILOSOPHY
AND THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
General Editor: Jude P. Dougherty
Studies in Philosophy
and the History of Philosophy Volume 24
Revolution
and Continuity
Essays in the History
and Philosophy of
Early Modern Science
edited by Peter Barker and Roger Ariew
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA PRESS
Washington, D.C.
Copyright © tggi
The Catholic University of America Press
All rights reserved
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of American National Standards for In¬
formation Science—Permanence of Paper for Printed
Library Materials, ansi Z39.48-1984.
00
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Revolution and continuity : essays in the history and philosophy of
early modern science /edited by Peter Barker and Roger Ariew.
p. cm.—(Studies in philosophy and the history of
philosophy : v. 24)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn 0-8132-0738-x (permanent paper)
1. Science—History. 2. Science—History—17th century.
3. Science—Philosophy—History. 4. Continuity. 1. Barker, Peter,
1949— • u- Ariew, Roger, in. Series.
B21.S78 vol. 24
[Q175-3]
IOO S-dc20
[501] 90-!9633
*£<s/
£34 *
Contents
Introduction, by peter barker and roger ariew i
PART I: SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS
1. david lux, Societies, Circles, Academies, and
Organizations: A Historiographic Essay on
Seventeenth-Century Science 23
2. mordechai feingold, Tradition versus Novelty:
Universities and Scientific Societies in the Early
Modern Period 45
PART II: MEDICINE AND GEOLOGY
3. Harold cook, Physick and Natural History in
Seventeenth-Century England 63
4. roger ariew, A New Science of Geology in the
Seventeenth Century? 81
PART III: ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS
5. alan gabbey. Innovation and Continuity in the
History of Astronomy: The Case of the Rotating Moon 95
6. Joseph pitt, The Heavens and Earth: Bellarmine
and Galileo 131
7. Bernard R. Goldstein, The Blasphemy of
Alfonso X: History or Myth? 143
PART IV: MATHEMATICS
8. Francois de gandt, Cavalieri’s Indivisibles and
Euclid’s Canons 157
9. emily grosholz, Descartes’ Geometry and the
Classical Tradition 183
Bibliography 197 Notes on the Contributors 213 Index 217
v