Reading the book of nature in the Dutch golden age, 1575-1715 / by Eric Jorink ; translated by Peter Mason.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jorink, Eric.

Contributor:

Mason, Peter.

Series:

Brill's studies in intellectual history ; v. 191.

Brill's studies in intellectual history, 0920-8607 ; v. 191

Standardized Title:

Boeck der Natuere. English

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Natural history--Netherlands.

Natural history.

Science--Netherlands--History--17th century.

Science.

Philosophy of nature--Netherlands--History--17th century.

Philosophy of nature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (494 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden [Netherlands] ; Boston : Brill, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Traditionally, Dutch scientific culture of the Golden Age is regarded as rational, pragmatic, and utilitarian. The role of Christiaan Huygens, Johannes Swammerdam and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in the so called Scientific Revolution was recognised long ago, as was the fact that the revolutionary philosophy of René Descartes made its first impact in the Netherlands. This book challenges the traditional picture. First, it shows how nature was regarded as a second book of God, next to the Bible. For many, contemplating, investigating, representing and collecting natural objects was a religious activity. Secondly, this book demonstrates that the deconstruction of the old view of nature was partly caused by the pioneering exegetical research conducted in the Dutch Republic, more specifically, the emergence of radical biblical criticism.

Contents:

Preliminary Material / E. Jorink

Chapter One. Introduction / E. Jorink

Chapter Two. The Interpretation Of The Book Of Nature Down To Around 1660 / E. Jorink

Chapter Three. Comets: The Debate On The ‘Wonders In The Heavens’ / E. Jorink

Chapter Four. Insects: ‘The Wonders Of God In The Humblest Creatures’ / E. Jorink

Chapter Five. Collections Of Curiosities: ‘A Book In Which God Has Gloriously Described Himself’ / E. Jorink

Chapter Six. Books Of Wonders: From Rarity To Regularity / E. Jorink

Chapter Seven. The Book Of Nature: From Axiom To Metaphor / E. Jorink

Bibliography / E. Jorink

Index Of Names / E. Jorink.

Notes:

"This book is a revised and translated version of Het Boeck der Natuere. Nederlandse geleerden en de wonderen van Gods schepping, 1575-1716, Leiden 2006."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-283-11968-4

9786613119681

90-04-19120-8

OCLC:

727951054

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004186712.i-472 DOI