Man and Nature in the Renaissance (Cambridge Studies in the History of Science) [Paperback]

Allen George Debus (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521293286 | ISBN-13: 978-0521293280 | Publication Date: October 31, 1978

Man and Nature in the Renaissance offers an introduction to science and medicine during the earlier phases of the scientific revolution, from the mid-fifteenth century to the mid-seventeenth century. Renaissance science has frequently been approached in terms of the progress of the exact sciences of mathematics and astronomy, to the neglect of the broader intellectual context of the period. Conversely, those authors who have emphasized the latter frequently play down the importance of the technical scientific developments. In this book, Professor Debus amalgamates these approaches: The exact sciences of the period are discussed in detail, but reference is constantly made to religious and philosophical concepts that play little part in the science of our own time. Thus, the renewed interest in mystical texts and the subsequent impact of alchemy, astrology, and natural magic on the development of modern science and medicine are central to the account. Major themes that are followed throughout the book include the effects of humanism, the search for a new method of science, and the dialogue between proponents of the mystical-occult world view and the mathematical-observational approach to nature.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

An integrated introduction to science and medicine from the mid-fifteenth to the mid-seventeenth century. Unlike almost all other books on this period it gives due weight to religious, philosophical and mystical movements which influenced contemporary science.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 31, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521293286
• ISBN-13: 978-0521293280
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering scholarship in the mystical side of the history of science, October 18, 2007

By 

Albert Hand "student-teacher of alchemical arts" (northern CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man and Nature in the Renaissance (Cambridge Studies in the History of Science) (Paperback)

Decades ago Allen Debus made many important, key contributions to the history of science by demonstrating the central (though marginalized) place of alchemy in the development of many disciplines. This is the most concise and easily accessible of the many texts of his you will read hungrily if you take an interest in the subject. Fair and insightful treatment of many theological, mystical and occult personalities make this book an important milestone in the new direction of historical studies dealing with the so-called "scientific revolution" and its murky "prehistory."

2 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A chronicle of Science, February 6, 2000

By 

Chris Coomers - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man and Nature in the Renaissance (Cambridge Studies in the History of Science) (Paperback)

I almost never read books about man and nature in the renaisance, and this was one of the best ones I have read, if not one of the very best. Read up!