The Scientific Revolution in National Context

Examines the effects of the 'Scientific Revolution' on scientific thinking and describes the effects of national and regional factors.

Roy Porter (Edited by), Mikulas Teich (Edited by)

9780521396998, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 September 1992

320 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 1.7 cm, 0.585 kg

'In this successful formula the subject is essentially treated by specialists on a national basis, this volume offering France (L. W. Brockliss), the German Lands (William Clark), the Low Countries (Harold Cook), Poland (Jerzy Dobrzycki), Iberia (David Goodman), England (John Henry), Bohemia (Josef Smolka), Sweden (Sven Widmalm), Italy (Mario Biagoli), and Scotland (Paul Wood), as well as an editorial introduction.' Archives

The 'scientific revolution' of the sixteenth and seventeenth century continues to command attention in historical debate. Controversy still rages about the extent to which it was essentially a 'revolution of the mind', or how far it must also be explained by wider considerations. In this volume, leading scholars of early modern science argue the importance of specifically national contexts for understanding the transformation in natural philosophy between Copernicus and Newton. Distinct political, religious, cultural and linguistic formations shaped scientific interests and concerns differently in each European state and explain different levels of scientific intensity. Questions of institutional development and of the transmission of scientific ideas are also addressed. The emphasis upon national determinants makes this volume an interesting contribution to the study of the Scientific Revolution.

Notes on contributors
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Scientific revolution, social bricolage and etiquette Mario Biagioli
2. The scientific revolution in France L. W. B. Brockliss
3. The scientific revolution in the German nations William Clark
4. The new philosophy in the low countries Harold J. Cook
5. The scientific revolution in Poland Jerzy Dobrzycki
6. The scientific revolution in Spain and Portugal David Goodman
7. The scientific revolution in England John Henry
8. The scientific revolution in Bohemia Josef Smolka
9. Instituting science in Sweden Sven Widmalm
10. The scientific revolution in Scotland Paul Wood
Index.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]