Paracelsian Moments: Science, Medicine, and Astrology in Early Modern Europe

by Gerhild Scholz Williams (Editor), Charles D. Gunnoe Jr. (Editor)

Overview

Scientific ideas inspired by religious, magical, and alchemical themes competed alongside traditional Aristotelian science and the emerging mechanical philosophy in the early modern era. At the center of this ferment was a quirky and creative German physician, Paracelsus, whose religious-alchemical worldview served as an inspiration for countless scientific innovators.

This collection is about Paracelsus and the wide range of issues he explored, and ones taken up by many who were directly or indirectly affected by the same mental universe that sustained his thought and writings. This volume includes strong contextual studies on Paracelsianism and the larger cultural history of early modern science, including groundbreaking studies on Robert Boyle, François Rabelais, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, and Johannes Praetorius.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935503569
Publisher:	Truman State University Press
Publication date:	03/01/2003
Series:	Sixteenth Century Essays & Studies , #64
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	2 MB

Editorial Reviews

In its visually and intellectually enjoyable presentation, and in the unity of its composition, Paracelsian Moments shows conference proceedings at their finest. To a large part, this is due to the expertise of the contributing authors. Their detailed footnotes and acknowledgments of collaborations with international Paracelsus scholars attest to the fact that they have a genuine interest in unraveling the figure of Paracelsus from the mythical web that his contemporaries had spun around him.”

—Ambix

“The editors and contributors are to be commended for addressing narrowly defined topics and beginning a discussion of larger broader themes: historical authority and validity, early modern perceptions of reality and certainty. Although many of these essays will invite debate, this volume is a notable accomplishment.”

—Renaissance Quarterly

“A worthwhile volume full of exciting new work on early modern science and medicine.”

—Journal of Early Modern History

“The collection also has a useful if hardly exhaustive bibliography of Paracelsus and Paracelsianism, and a good index.... It will be of interest primarily to specialist historians of early modern science, magic, and medicine.”

—Sixteenth Century Journal

From the Publisher